Dear Editor,
It appears as though central government will continue to suppress local democracy by withholding financial or other benefits for Regional Democratic Councillors in the 2021 budget. This behaviour by central government dates back to the establishment of the 1980 constitution, except in 2006 when the then administration started to provide $10,000 monthly as remuneration for councillors; since then not a dollar has been added to the package.
The 1980 constitution provided for Guyana to be divided into ten elected regional administrations, with each region managed by an elected local government authority called the Regional Democratic Council. They are the working arms of the state, and are accountable to the people who elected them. The councillors are elected at the same time as the President and members of Parliament, and for the same 5-year term, but over the years those councillors have been deprived by central government of a proper financial package to perform their tasks optimally. Treating councilors like second class citizens or volunteers, would not motivate them to come up with development ideas to meet the people needs. At present, ordinary members of Parliament are granted a stipend of about $214,000 a month, while councilors on the 10 RDCs receive a mere $10,000 in benefits. By law, councillors are not volunteers; they are elected officials of the state and should be treated better. Each RDC councillor is entitled to at least 50% of the benefits granted to Member of Parliament. They work almost the same as MPs and perhaps even more as the elected government for the regions. Ministers and other MPs must not just think about themselves but must consider the councilors who were elected at the same time as them.
Editor, I was an AFC councillor on the RDC of Region 4 from 2006 to 2011 and I know what it takes to be a performing councillor. It is not just about attendance at monthly or committee meetings; councillors have to be up and about with the people to organise meetings and find ways to bring about development for the poor and jobless. While I served as a councillor for the Region 4 RDC, I had successfully tabled a motion for better remuneration for councillors, but central government failed to honour that. Many other councillors had done the same since then in their respective Regions but again central government was not impressed. I therefore ask the Local Government Minister to make provision in his budget for an upgraded financial package for Local Democratic Councillors. It is long overdue. I also learned via the news that the Minister, on the 18th of January, 2021, stated that he is not in favour of councils raising taxes. That news worries me because the minister knows that the taxes received by some councils cannot provide for 20% of the service needed in the council areas.
From 1970 to now the Guyana dollar has been constantly devalued from about 4.5 Guyana dollars for US$1, to G$215 for US$1; and some households are still paying G$6 and a G$150 tax annually to the councils in some regions. So I am asking of you Minister, not to suppress the financial independence of local government authorities just to win votes in future national elections. That approach will only serve to deprive the people the services they need to develop their communities. Remember that according to Act 12 of the 1980 constitution you are the provider for, not the dictator of local Democratic organs.
Sincerely,
Michael Carrington
Former Member of Parliament
