Latest update May 22nd, 2026 12:38 AM
PPP, APNU and AFC are on the same political page
Dear Editor,
The holding of local government elections, overdue since 1997, is welcomed (KN Nov 21). But having local elections just because the law says it should be held and because a promise was made during the general election campaign to have it is simply vacuous and meaningless, if it is not accompanied by reforms to empower the citizens to control affairs in their communities.
Credit is given to APNU-AFC for announcing the election although they break their promise to announce it within three months of being appointed to office and to hold the elections within six months. They had also promised to give autonomy to the local bodies, but like their predecessor have failed to deliver on this one.
All three dominant parties are on the same page when it comes to citizenship empowerment regardless of their rhetoric – the people must be kept down and lorded over by the political masters. But the people seem to like it so because they are always voting for the same political crooks without giving much consideration to genuine, caring, honest, compassionate community leaders who offer themselves for office.
The PPP had let down the population in not reforming local government giving autonomy to communities; today, people are powerless to effect changes in their living condition was hesitant in giving them power. Dr. Jagan had promised at the GOPIO convention in July 1989 that should he be allowed to return to office, he would hand power over to the local governments for the people to be in control of their destiny.
The US allowed a free and fair election in Guyana in October 1992 and Jagan was returned to office in 1992. He died in March 1997 without tackling local government reform to empower citizens. Local empowerment was thrown out the window as his successors failed to pursue legislation to realize Jagan’s dreams on people empowerment.
The PPP left in place the PNC structure of local government (64 NDCs and six towns). And the APNU-AFC politicians have not exhibited much interest in empowering local bodies. Moses Nagamootoo spoke the language of local empowerment when he served briefly as Local Government Minister. He may be the only politician in the ruling coalition who has some genuine interest in local government reform, and it is hoped he will use his influence as (de facto leader serving as Prime Minister) of the AFC to present a bill that will give power to the people by granting autonomy to the local bodies.
Political fiats from above (fat cats in the central government) will not improve the quality of governance. Decision making at the local level (from those who have direct experience) will lead to better governance.
Once people are politically empowered in their own communities, they will behave more responsibly as citizens showing greater concern over what happens in their neighborhoods. This will automatically result in improved sanitation and cleanliness, security, reduction in corruption, better health condition and an overall higher standard of living.
Given our history of poor governance (including widespread corruption) and abuse of power at the national level, the time has come for power to be decentralized. The country badly needs political reform to shift power away from the center and to the local governments to give citizens a greater voice in the governance of the nation.
Will the three parties pass laws to allow people to exercise power at the lowest level to take charge of and improve their lives?
Vishnu Bisram
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