Since last local govt elections…Chanderpaul, broadband internet, Google, Twitter and WiFi become reality

Jun 10, 2014 News

Guyana remains the same

BY RAMESH PERSAUD – CHAIRMAN OF PSC
The continued delay of Local Government Elections in Guyana is not good for the development of our country and the competitiveness of the Private Sector. Local Government Systems were implemented to ensure that the people who live and carry on economic activities in communities have a say in how those communities are managed and developed to meet their needs.
When communities are developed, the country as a whole will be developed. The right to have a say in the development of our local communities is enshrined in our constitution.
An effective Local Government system is essential for doing business and can have an impact on the competitiveness of the Private Sector, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Local Governments through NDCs and Municipalities are responsible for providing a wide range of services to business enterprises in communities.
Some of the services provided by Local Governments are as follow: solid waste management and sanitation through garbage collection; maintainance of drainage and irrigation systems; weed management of parapets, “alley ways” and other public spaces such as play grounds, burial grounds, schools compounds, health centres etc.; issuance of Health Certificates for businesses such as butcher shops, barber shops, food shops, etc.; approval of plans for construction of houses and business premises and issuance of construction permits and ensuring that buildings are constructed to code; granting permission by issuing “no objections” to operate certain types of businesses such as car washes, pig farming, poultry farming, lumber yards, etc.; and the management and security of public markets, etc.
These services provided by the Local Government organs highlight the importance of our NDCs and Municipalities in the business eco system where enterprises have to operate. It is very obvious that where these organs are weak and ineffective, garbage gets piled up, sanitation systems are poor, public health is at risk, flood waters take longer to recede, burial grounds and the dead are overwhelmed with bushes, house plans and construction permits are delayed.
Further, licences essential for starting and operating certain types of business can also be delayed due to incompetence and red tape. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of problems but these issues are important enough for Local Government Elections to be called as soon as is practical.
A lot has happened since 1994. If we look at things globally, Windows 95 and Google did not exist in 1994, nor was there Facebook or Twitter. Broadband internet was but a dream, China was not a member of WTO, the EURO Currency was just a concept whilst floppy disks were still used in computers.
Regionally, Cable and Wireless and not Digicel was a major sponsor of West Indies Cricket, T20 cricket did not exist and Shiv Chanderpaul made his debut in Test cricket and stood opposite Brian Lara in that series as he broke the Test record for the most runs in an innings.
In Guyana, the internet did not exist, cell phones service was not provided and land line penetration was very poor and the number plate series for vehicles took an average of three or four years to change compared to 11 months in 2013.
These facts give you the picture of how vastly different our world is today, but yet many of our Local Government Officials in Guyana elected in 1994 are still in place. Not that the two are the same, but West Indies Cricket had 13 Test Captains since 1994.
Not having timely Local Government Elections is robbing Guyana of the quality of leadership that our local communities and neighborhood can benefit from. The delayed Local Government Elections is affecting the timeliness for which our Local Government leaders and officials are refreshed and such a situation is resulting in the Private Sector benefiting from mediocre service and this is a massive impediment to the competitiveness of our businesses.
I think the above points have added some additional compelling arguments to the many others that already exist on why it is essential for us to have local government elections to improve the enabling environment for business to be created and jobs provided. To our leaders: Make Local Government Elections a reality.

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Since last local govt elections…Chanderpaul, broadband internet, Google, Twitter and WiFi become reality

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