Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan on Friday told the National Assembly that he could not give a date for the appointment of the Local Government Commission (LGC).
Bulkan previously said that he would see the commission established in March then in June, July and finally in September of this year but failed to deliver on his pledges
On Friday, he told the National Assembly that “the administration is not in the position to name a date for establishment” of the LGC.
Based on Bulkan’s presentation it appears that the government is finding it difficult to find suitable candidates to serve as the four government-nominated members of the commission.
According to the legislation, the commission will be made up of eight members: four nominated by government, one nominated by unions operating in the local government sector and three nominated by the Leader of the Opposition.
In April, the Committee of Appointments named Andrew Christopher Garnett, of the Guyana Local Government Officers’ Union as the nominee from trade unions. This nomination was approved by the House in August.
In July, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo identified his three nominees as former Georgetown Town Clerk Carol Sooba and former Local Government Ministers Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore.
Though Minister Bulkan has for months maintained that the government has a shortlist of suitable candidates they are considering, on Friday he told the House that the administration was consulting as it was “being exceedingly careful that its nominees can meet the test of the legislation.”
He was at time responding to an oral question without notice from Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who asked for the reason behind the delay in the naming of the government nominees.
The Local Government Commission Act of 2013 at Article 4(2) calls for all appointments to be made from among persons of unquestionable integrity and with extensive knowledge, where practicable, in local government matters, administration, finance, Amerindian affairs, industry and law.
It has been over two years since the Act, which provides for the establishment of a Local Government Commission, was passed.
The Act is intended to provide for the establishment of the Local Government Commission in keeping with Article 78(a) of the 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 enabling legislation, 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.
While in opposition, both APNU and the AFC had made calls for the body to be set up.
