The launch yesterday of a newly conceptualised committee of senior regional officials was overshadowed by the absence of representatives from those councils controlled by the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
The Ministry of Com-munities held the inaugural meeting of the National Regional Developmental Consultative Committee (NRDCC) at the Marriott Hotel, where Permanent Secretary Emile McGarrell explained to those gathered that the principal function of the committee will be to facilitate collaborative management, development and leadership across regions.
He asserted that the NRDCC will allow for more accountability, transparency, and partnerships among key regional stakeholders and planning for the effective delivery of public services in “capital towns” and throughout the regions.
These objectives are expected to be achieved through the promotion of greater communication and collaboration among the local democratic organs, development of guidelines for finance committees of local democratic organs and the promotion of regional development through networking among regional, national and multi-national stakeholders.
Even as the government hailed the committee which Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said would address and confront crime, diseases and poverty by clarifying the roles of Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), both he and President David Granger lamented the absence of the Chairpersons of regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 and the Mayors of Anna Regina, Corriverton and Rose Hall.
Bulkan explained that he had received identical letters from these individuals, who said that they believed the NRDCC poses a danger of infringing on the authority of local organs as well as denuding the constitutional and lawful authority of RDCs and municipalities.
“They went on to say that they were fearful that their presence would be seen as endorsing this initiative,” Bulkan explained.
He labelled these arguments as specious, baseless and provocative as well as insubordinate considering that the individuals uttering them are public officials who are legislatively bound to conform to public policy. Asked later what, if any, disciplinary action would be taken against these individuals, Bulkan said he was not sure what action could be taken against these officials since they were elected officials.
He, however, stressed that the ministry will continue to deliver the work programmes since $35.5 billion has been allocated to the regions and central government must ensure efficiency and integrity in the delivery of that programme. He said that central government remains open to the participation of all regional and municipal heads and maintained that they had been made aware in September last year of this initiative, which was also announced in budget speeches of both Finance Minister Winston Jordan and himself. He further explained that the programme had actually been postponed from last Friday, when it was originally scheduled so the representatives were aware of the initiative and its purpose.
In a statement last evening, Bulkan also expressed “sympathy and empathy with several officials who were prepared to attend today’s session – and actually uplifted state funds to facilitate their attendance – but were discouraged by their political masters.” He accused the PPP/C of denying regional leaders the opportunity of participating in activities intended to improve the quality of life of all Guyanese and classed their actions as pitiful, irresponsible, reckless and a disservice to the people who they were elected to serve.
‘No prior consultation’
The PPP, however, is contending that central government was disrespectful to the elected bodies.
In a press statement, the party said that its head office was contacted late on January 19th, 2017, by a number of Regional Chairmen and Mayors who expressed their disapproval about attending the inaugural meeting of the NRDCC. According to the party, the elected leaders were given very short notice and no details regarding the meeting prior to travelling.
“They were also asked to fund their own travelling costs,” it said, before adding that “the PPP notes with interest that there was no prior consultation with the Parliamentary Opposition or with the invited Local Authorities (Regions and Municipalities) on the inauguration of a NRDCC and the establishment of ten (10) Regional Development Consultative Committees (RDCCs).”
The RDCCs, which would be co-chaired by the Regional Chairman and Mayor for each Administrative Region, are expected to comprise the heads of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).
The PPP asked in its statement why those NDCs that were overwhelmingly won by the PPP/C at the 2016 Local Government Elections were excluded from the NRDCC and the ten RDCCs. It was these concerns which led to the seven Regional Chairmen and Vice Chairmen and three Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the Municipalities writing to the Minister informing him that they will not be attending the inauguration of the NRDCC on January 20, 2017 due to lack of prior consultation, it said.
“These elected Regional and Municipal leaders also stated that they will not endorse attempts to create any body which will impinge on or dilute the Constitutional and legal power and authority of these elected Councils. They are, however prepared to meet the Minister to discuss the proposed NRDCC at a properly arranged meeting with adequate notice with in-depth consultations in each of their Administrative Regions with the RDC, the Municipalities and the NDCs,” the statement said.
The party also challenged yesterday’s programme, which it said included the introduction of regional flags and symbols. According to Bulkan, the programme actually introduced the flags and symbols for discussion, following which consultations would be held.
“These Regional Councils have opposed this and believe the event in question appears to be one contrived to impose these on the Regions,” the PPP statement said before adding that “the PPP concludes that this is yet another example of the government’s unwillingness to hold proper and meaningful consultations with the elected bodies at the Regional, Municipal and NDC levels. The government’s consistency in their attempts to control in all ways possible can only now be described as utter disdain and disrespect for these elected bodies which are controlled overwhelmingly by the PPP/C.”
