Granger, Bulkan still to propose names for Local Govt. Commission

Sep 16, 2016 News

The Local Government Commission was expected to be set up by the end of June of this year, but its

President David Granger

establishment has since been stymied by several delays. Yesterday, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, said that he and President David Granger have not submitted their nominations.
The President is supposed to name three nominees while Bulkan has to submit one name to sit on the Commission. When asked how soon the nation can expect the Commission to be fully set up, the Minister said that he cannot give a “concrete date as to when the names would be announced.”
Several deadlines were announced for the Commission to be established by the Communities Ministry, but none have been met. It was announced that Guyana can expect the LGC by early July, which was the third deadline that was given.
The Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has already submitted his three nominees after consulting with his party. The Commission will have eight members; four nominated by Government, one from unions functioning in the local government sector and three from the leader of the opposition.
Last Friday at the People’s Progressive Party Civic press conference, the party’s chief whip, Gail Teixiera, had said that the delay by the President and Minister Bulkan gives the impression that there is no appetite to set up the LGC.
She said that the Commission needs to be expedited and set up to deal with the appointments, dismissals, transfers and disciplining as required under both the Constitution of Guyana and the Local Government

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

Act.
According to the Chief Whip, after Jagdeo would have submitted his three nominees, a letter was sent by the Communities Minister to the party querying the details of the internal consultations which were done to create the list of names.
Teixiera said that the PPP/C proceeded to inform the Minister that providing such information was not a requirement of the process. She said that in the past, when there were two political parties comprising the opposition, it was necessary for the leader of the opposition at that time to consult both parties, specifically, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change.
The Bill enabling the establishment of the LGC was eventually passed in the National Assembly in August 2013. The law provides for the Commission to deal with matters concerning the regulation and staffing of local government bodies.
In addition, it is to resolve disputes between such organs, and review and monitor implementation of policies.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News