This week on `What the people say’ we asked members of the public if they have been following the local government developments and if they will be voting on March 18. Here are their responses:
Photos and interviews by Shabna Rahman
Naeem Muhammad, director of the Albouystown mosque,
‘Yes, I have been following the developments for Local Government Elections. What I think is that it’s an excellent initiative in that service can now be centralized and it can more reach the smaller people who once didn’t really have access. What I think needs to happen though is the electorates need to be more educated on what Local Government Elections really is. I know there are a lot of people who don’t really know and understand exactly what it is all about and the systems to go about voting. I think all in all it would stand to benefit the community because from this many projects can be done where the small man can benefit. I was asked to be a candidate but I couldn’t take on that at this time. Yes, I think I would be voting.’
Wazir Baksh, Director of Education, GIT,
‘To a great extent I am au fait with the developments of the Local Government Elections. I enjoy seeing independent candidates coming on board and I believe that in the future they should change the constitution; we should not allow the national political parties to participate. I believe they stifle local initiative where more people can get involved. When the parties are there they would choose the people to represent them in their areas, rather than the people choosing people. And I think even if the parties want to participate they should get their activists to do so as independents or forming their own little groups, rather than having the national political parties participating themselves. They should allow the younger leaders to emerge… this would bring more dynamism, more activism and more social consciousness among the citizens. They would also develop more social responsibilities for the betterment of their community. I am planning to vote because that is my franchise and I believe everybody who has been registered and has ID cards, should come out and vote.’
Lennox Ifill, mason
‘I have been following a little about the Local Government and I like the idea how local people would get to look into the interest of the community. They would know the area well and know exactly what it needs. I make plant pots and other items to sell and sometimes I would clean in front of my place and then when a truck passes through the people would dump garbage. But since they have people going around and charging them I realize that it eased up a lot. It is a good thing too that they are bringing in a lot of young people to the system so that they can understand what the Local Government Elections is all about. I feel I will vote for the elections.’
George Thornton, pensioner,
‘We were looking forward for this since the previous government. We cannot wholly and solely depend on the Central Government to do things for us. So if the capital can be shared it would be much better because the money would be going to the community faster and easier. I have been following the developments and I am definitely planning to vote.’
Leon Moses, technician,
‘The Local Government Elections is a good thing and it is good that it is happening at this time. It is a good form of governance for the country; they have the national government and the local government. It’s a good balance of devolution of power. It is great that this government is holding the elections and I think only good things can come out of it. Yes, I am planning to vote.’
Andre Nedd, taxi driver,
‘It is something great. The whole country was expecting the elections to come off, even the foreign diplomats and everybody overseas. I don’t know why the PPP government was trying to stagnate the Local Government Elections. That was not democracy. Now we are seeing a lot of changes and we’re seeing a lot of things going on in Georgetown. It’s not like before and I’m going with the flow and I’m voting for APNU all the way.’
Saywattie Ghansham, domestic worker,
‘I don’t know too much about the Local Government Elections but I see it on TV sometimes. I am glad that they are having it because more work would be done for the community. The drains in my area are cleaner now since the new government took over. With this change we noticed a lot of progress happening. I would be voting on elections day.’
Shaline Persaud, shrimp vendor,
‘I don’t follow up about the Local Government Elections too much but I heard that the person you vote for would see that the roads, drains and garbage and other things would be taken care of. I didn’t make up my mind as yet if I would vote on elections day. I don’t know the candidates in my area. Nobody came around and tell me anything. I just hope that whoever wins would do the work to enhance my community.’
Salima Ali, shrimp vendor,
‘I follow it up a little and I know that Local Government is all about taking care of your community. The person elected has to ensure that the roads, streets and drains are well cleaned and maintained. I am happy, as well as everybody else that they are having the elections because we want our surroundings to get cleaned. They need to do something about the mosquitoes especially with these viruses that are going around. They also need to clean the trenches and burial ground. I will be voting and I know the candidate in my area and I know he would do a good job.’
Farina Ally, unemployed,
‘I know that the Local Government Elections is coming up and I have to vote for a candidate who would be representing my constituency. But to be honest I am not sure who I have to vote for as yet. I am glad that they are having this because the drains in my area badly need cleaning. Every time it rains my yard floods and the water even gets into my house. I want to see them develop the place and get things going.’
