Dear Editor,
I wish to humbly respond to a letter carried in your letter column titled “ Better Hope/LBI NDC to reports are far from satisfactory” on December 28, 2022. The Better Hope/LBI NDC is by far one of the best functioning NDC, administratively. The staff strives to ensure that their purpose is in keeping with the mandate of executing the work they are tasked with to satisfaction. I am assuming, based on the write’s composition, he/she is speaking as a third party, rather than someone who has had direct confrontation with the NDC.
Like every other NDCs, numerous complaints are received, but satisfaction cannot be given to each complaint because in some or most instances, complaints are outside the NDC control, but in bringing satisfaction to the people, with utmost certainty, the NDC would strive to engage other agencies e.g., Environmental Protection Agency for noise nuisance, dust pollution, burning of garbage. The Police in cases of movable vehicles (trucks) occupying the road shoulders and in a dangerous position. Also, please be reminded that the NDC deals with immovable (derelicts) vehicles. I’m also certain the NDC would also receive complaints on infringement of property (land) whereby someone has their fence built in their neighbour’s yard, which is a private matter.
On numerous occasions, I personally sought guidance from the administrative staff of NDC who are equipped with a wealth of knowledge in different cases. And the high level of professionalism displayed, warrants commendation. The writer spoke of “confidentiality”. Nothing is confidential at the NDC, since the NDC statutory meetings are open to the public and all the minutes of those meetings are accessible to the public. The writer spoke of “a Council that sits and makes decisions to better develop our communities”. If one were to read the minutes of the NDC Statutory meetings, one would be surprised to know that for almost two years, no decision was taken to better the lives of the people.
The writer should spend less time listening to a third party and more time on verifying the information and acquaint him/herself with the facts. The Administrative staff (Overseer) can only serve notices in certain cases “BUT” before actions are taken, there has to be a “Council decision”. The Overseer is not an authority unto him/her self. The Council, which is made up of politicians, are responsible to make decisions, but the fact that a no confidence motion was brought against the Chairman of the NDC by the majority of Councilors tells a long story.
Meanwhile, recently a motion of confidence was passed by the Council in favour of the administrative head (Overseer) of the NDC. Unless one has an understanding on the parameters of which the administrative staff of NDC functions, the misconception of authority will prevail.
Sincerely,
Mustafaa Azimullah
