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Municipalities to have democratic renewal through LGE
Over the years municipalities all across Guyana had been very poorly serviced due to various reasons.
And with this in mind, the Ministry of Communities held a Municipal Leadership Consultation yesterday under the theme “Unveiling a vision for Municipal Development”.
Emphasis was placed on exploring avenues that would assist the Municipalities to be democratic and financially capable of funding their own programmes. One such area identified for this to become a reality was the long awaited Local Government Elections (LGE).
The LGE according to the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, “will be held by early December, providing that issues concerning legislation on the Ministry’s behalf are dealt with. Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have since expressed their readiness, however they will be having their statutory meeting on the 18th August in which they are expected to give their final word.”
Other measures such as institutional strengthening and capacity building; and financial security and funding of councils were also brought to the fore, but LGE was emphasised as the focal point with a view to renewing the independence of Local Governments.
Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams, Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrell, Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore, Member of Parliament Michael Carrington, Mayors of Georgetown and New Amsterdam Hamilton Green and Claude Henry and other officials
Present at the roundtable consultation which was held at the Ministry’s Boardroom were Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams, Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrell, Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore, and Member of Parliament Michael Carrington. Mayors of Georgetown and New Amsterdam – Hamilton Green and Claude Henry, respectively – and Chairpersons of Linden, Rose Hall, Anna Regina and Corriverton’s Interim Management Committees Orrin Gordon, Winston Hope, Mark McLean and Everett Harewood respectively.
According to Minister Bulkan, the financial security and funding of the councils is the most critical and important stage in determining the success of the councils in achieving goals of their work programmes and providing adequate services to citizens.
Bulkan explained that the Fiscal Transfers Act should determine how Municipalities explore measures and mechanisms of increasing revenue.
He further noted that, “the councils need to identify priority measures and decide what would constitute the main sources of revenue for the Municipalities.”
He also related that collection of rates is an important mechanism for Municipalities to earn revenue.
In the recent Budget, 300 million was allocated to the Ministry of Communities for the restoration of Georgetown. During the Municipal Leadership Consultation discussions, Minister Bulkan identified that they will be working along with the Local Democratic Organs.
“We are not here to find answers but to begin meaningful discussions…The philosophy of the central Government going forward is to have respect for the Local Democratic Organs,” the Minister said.
Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green, after welcoming the Minister’s statements, expressed gratitude and great anticipation of the LGE, which he believes will bring about a novel start in the New Year.
The Local Democratic Organs have always allocated funds to sustain themselves independently, with the support of Central Government.
The Fiscal Transfer Act nevertheless was believed by many to transfer funds from Central to Local Government. This was clarified at the roundtable that nowhere in the Act provides a formula or percentage that commits the central government to provide for local government organs.
It was further stated that central government allocates upon discretion.
The Act establishes each local authority (section 3:1) to approach donor agencies to receive grants and negotiate with central government for share revenue. Economic projects to garner revenue and undertake other measures as agreed by the minister. The Act does not transfer money.
With this being proposed the Central and Local Government will be collaborating to help restore Georgetown and other parts to Guyana to its former glory.
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