Latest update February 4th, 2025 9:06 AM
Local Govt. Commission imminent
The relevant laws were passed in 2013, giving the green light for the establishment of a Local Government
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan
Commission, and this body is expected to come on stream shortly.
This was revealed at City Hall yesterday where the Mayor and City Council (M&CC)’s held a Special Session on Local Government and Local Governance in Guyana.
Oscar Clarke, Chairman of Personnel and Training Committee of the M&CC, said yesterday that the commission will be responsible for various matters related to the staff of all Local Government Councils nationwide.
While most of these processes fell under the purview of the minister responsible for Local Government, this would no longer be the case.
The Commission, Clarke said, will be an independent body “like the Public Service Commission” which will be responsible to Parliament and to the President.
He added that 20 sections of Chapter 28:01 of the Municipal and Districts Councils Act will be decommissioned to make way for the commission, which will have the power to make its own rules.
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who was also present at the Special Session, said that relevant funding for the commission was provided in the 2016 National Budget. However, he did not commit to the exact date of the commission’s commencement.
The minister also touched on various issues but spoke mostly of the importance of Local Government Elections (LGEs) and A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Chance (APNU/AFC)’s commitment to make the LGEs a reality.
The Commission’s functions, outlined at clause 13. (1) of the Act, state that the Commission shall have power to deal with all matters relating to the regulation and staffing of local government organs including employment and dismissal of staff and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs.
M&CC’s Oscar Clarke
It shall also monitor and review the performance and implementation of policies of all local government organs, including policies of taxation and protection of the environment; monitor, evaluate and make recommendations on policies, procedures and practices of all local government organs in order to promote effective local governance.
The commission will investigate any matter under its purview and propose remedial action to the Minister, whenever or wherever necessary; monitor and review all existing and proposed legislation, and/or policies and measures relating to local government organs and make recommendations for any legislation or any amendments to any legislation and/or policy to the Minister, as well as examine and propose ways of enhancing the capacity of local government organs.
The Commission, once established, will take over most of the current oversight role exercised by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. Local government organs will now be able to exercise executive authority in keeping with the autonomy guaranteed by the constitution.
The Commission will oversee not only municipalities and NDCs but also Regional Democratic Councils as well as Amerindian Villages. The Act states, at Clause 13. (5):
In the discharge of its functions the Commission shall have regard to the provisions of the Municipal and District Councils Act (Cap. 28:01), the Local Government Act (Cap. 28:02), the Local Democratic Organs Act (Cap. 28:09), the Amerindian Act (Cap. 29:01), and any other provisions bearing on matters of local government.
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