Having missed several deadlines, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has committed to having the long-awaited Local Government Commission operational by early July.
This is the third date the minister has provided for the operationalisation of the commission which will have supervisory powers over local government authorities. He had previously identified March and the end of June.
Speaking with Stabroek News on Friday, Bulkan said that at its next meeting tomorrow, Cabinet will consider the candidates identified to occupy the four seats that are the responsibility of the president and the minister. According to the legislation, the commission will be made up of eight members: four nominated by government, one from unions operating in the local government sector and three from the Leader of the Opposition.
Bulkan said that the commission will begin its work even without the three nominees from the Leader of the Opposition.
It had been previously reported that the Minister on May 11, 2016 wrote Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo requesting that he submit three nominees for the appointment by the President, to the Local Government Commission. The Minister had provided a June 1, 2016 deadline for a response from Jagdeo but no response has yet been received, Bulkan said.
“Cabinet will consider the names and after their approval, the commission will begin work and function as five until the other three members are appointed. The lack of those three nominees won’t hold up the establishment and operationalisation of the commission. It won’t hold up the work,” Bulkan assured.
It has been over two years since laws providing for the establishment of a Local Government Commission were passed. While in opposition, both APNU and the AFC had made calls for the body to be set up.
The Commission is provided for in Guyana’s Constitution. Article 78 (a) reads: “Parliament shall establish a Local Government Commission, the composition and rules of which empower the commission to deal with as it deems fit, all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs.”
The Commission’s functions, outlined at clause 13. (1) of the Act, says that the Commission shall have power to deal with all matters relating to the regulation and staffing of local government organs including employment and dismissal of staff and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs, and in particular, shall monitor and review the performance and implementation of policies of all local government organs, including policies of taxation and protection of the environment;
It also has the power to monitor, evaluate and make recommendations on policies, procedures and practices of all local government organs in order to promote effective local governance; investigate any matter under its purview and propose remedial action to the Minister, whenever or wherever necessary; monitor and review all existing and proposed legislation, and or policies and measures relating to local government organs and to make recommendations for any legislation or any amendments to any legislation and or policy to the Minister; and examine and propose ways of enhancing the capacity of local government organs.
The Commission will oversee not only municipalities and neighbourhood democratic councils (NDCs) but also Regional Democratic Councils as well as Amerindian Villages.
