Two-decade gap in LGE damaged local govt. leadership - Min. Bulkan

Two-decade gap in LGE damaged local govt. leadership – Min. Bulkan

Aug 18, 2016 News

At the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) and four municipalities and two Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said that not having LGE for 20 years prior to 2016 had damaged the leadership capacity of local democratic organs.
“Prior to the holding of Local Government Elections, the local democratic organs were treated as step-children to be seen and not heard. There was little respect for autonomy and as a consequence, the local democratic organs could not discharge their functions.”
Bulkan said that this was an illustration and reminder of the previous administration’s lack of understanding of local democracy, and ironic, since the constitution provides for an elaborate system of governance.
The CARILED Project is aimed at developing the leadership capabilities of leaders in local democratic organs.
Signing the MoU at the Umana Yana were Mayors Carwyn Holland of Linden, Kirt Wynter of New Amsterdam, Vijay Ramoo of Rose Hall, Ganesh Gangadin of Corriverton and CARILED Project Director Marion Villanueva. The NDCs of Mocha Arcadia and Soesdyke were represented by Rudolph Adams and Dinesh Singh respectively.
Minister Bulkan said that the training which will be provided under the project will help to rebuild the collapsed and fractured administrative system of the local democratic organs.
Bulkan made it clear, that Central Government remains committed to the process of improving local governance. He said that the government recognizes that the country is too large to be managed from the centre.
The Minister explained that the councils are now made up of new members who are tasked with crafting policies, plans and programmes which are specific to their area. However, he said there must be a new philosophical outlook as to the roles and functions the councils are expected to perform.
Also present at the signing was Charge D’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, Sharmini Poulin who said that the CARILED Project is designed to engage municipalities across the Caribbean Region. She pointed to the implementation of good governance practices, which cannot be overstated, and noted the importance for sustainable economic growth within communities.

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