Last year, it was clear that neither the PPP/C nor APNU+AFC was interested in holding the scheduled Local Government Elections (LGE). For the PPP/C that was par for the course. It has an abject record as it relates to convening local elections – one election in 25 years of governance since 1992. So, its behaviour, even though inexcusable, was understandable. On the other hand – if one can forget for the moment that the PNCR is its major component – APNU+AFC had a noteworthy accomplishment to protect. After its epochal victory at the 2015 general elections, it set about industriously preparing the way for LGEs which had last been held in 1994. These elections were successfully convened in 2016 and lit a spark in the many defunct and moribund local government bodies. They began to function with increased vigour even if far below what would be expected of them in more ideal circumstances. Then, a second LGE was convened by GECOM in 2018. A quite remarkable development as there had not been successive local government elections for decades. Again, this was all to the credit of APNU+AFC and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Last year, APNU+AFC was in disarray following the meretricious, failed effort to rig the March 2, 2020 elections in its favour. The commissioners representing the opposition on GECOM also evinced discombobulation over the drive to dismiss and charge GECOM employees who had clearly engaged in blatant efforts to rig the polls. That doesn’t now explain why it appears uninterested in pressing for LGEs to be held by November or December of this year as mandated. Except that with the coalition in disarray and headed for a divorce, neither of its partners might be keen on risking a shellacking at the polls. Nevertheless, regardless of the PPP/C’s phobia for LGEs and the confusion in the coalition camp elections must be held this year for the renewal of local government bodies.
The enigmatic chair of GECOM, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh has questions to answer. Why has she not steered GECOM meetings in the direction of determining a timeline for LGEs and addressing the multiplicity of important issues to resolve including the source from which the lists will be extracted? Justice Singh faces many questions over her conduct during the key days after the March 2nd 2020 general elections and one hopes that she doesn’t fall into a similar rut with these polls. This newspaper urges that at its next statutory meeting Justice Singh and the commissioners on both sides elevate the LGE timeline to the top of their agenda and immediately begin determining what technical and other assistance is required.
Time is of the essence in a renewal of local government bodies. This also has to be accompanied by a discussion in Parliament about expanding the subvention available to the local government bodies in light of the inflows of oil revenues from the Natural Resource Fund. From recent events, it appears that central government is intent on taking over functions that should be well within the ambit of neighbourhood democratic councils (NCDs) and municipal councils.
The government has recently led large delegations into various communities across the country. On the East Coast, an impressive array of ministers visited Buxton several weeks ago and then Melanie Damishana on Saturday. These visits are welcome as they exemplify a grounding of the executive with the people and also provide a forum for candid exchanges.
The only problem with these visits is that they inevitably trespass on the remit of the NDCs. On Saturday, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall was reported as saying that the issues of garbage disposal and clean-up services will be addressed on the ground.
“We can put some people in place, put some resources and get Melanie cleaned up by the end of next weekend. We are going to bring the original people; we will bring in some of the engineers. A team of us will get back here on Wednesday afternoon, we’ll do a walkabout, try to resolve as many issues as we could on the ground”, the minister noted.
Cleaning up and garbage disposal services would, of course, be at the top of the list of functions of local authorities. It is the case that many of these councils do not perform well or simply do not have the resources at their disposal to achieve what Central Government can. The answer is not to swoop into Melanie Damishana on Wednesday and `clean-up’ the place and then leave it be for another six months. The real answer is to examine the manner in which the Region Four council and the accountable NDC can deploy their resources to provide the services that this community needs on a regular basis, all the while building autonomy and responsibility.
Several weeks ago during a visit by Stabroek News to Linden, local government officials lamented the lack of engagement and the tendency of central government to sweep into the town and make decisions without involving the other tiers of government. This must stop. This theme of `One Guyana’ being championed by the government should surely entail the right of communities to be stewards of their own affairs utilising rates and taxes and transfers from the centre which should now be increased.
For local government bodies that are failing hopelessly in their tasks, they must be provided with the help to right their ships. Managing councils and overseeing the business of a community require skillsets that are not necessarily in the wheelhouse of those elected on political platforms.
Almost a year ago, on August 19, Stabroek News editorialized as follows: “Efficient and commanding performance by local government bodies is a work in progress. Central government has for decades imposed itself on the mandates of these bodies by controlling purse strings and seeking to establish pernicious political control. There are signs that some local government councils have shown verve and innovation in discharging their functions but also plenty evidence of the political jockeying – as evidenced at the city council – which is to the detriment of citizens. Transfers from the centre to the local councils and the level of rates and taxes must be adequate to enable councils to perform effectively as that in itself will be a bulwark against central government marching in and usurping functions. All eyes will now be on the Ministry of Local Government in relation to setting the process in train for LGE”.
We now wait for evidence that the government and GECOM recognise the importance of LGEs.
