PPP’s consultation process is democratic

Nov 04, 2017 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
The consultation process which is currently being done by the PPP to evaluate the performance of the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the NDCs controlled by them must be highly applauded.
Our Constitution clearly states that sovereignty belongs to the people and local government organs give meaning to this. The consultation process by the PPP is ensure that democracy prevails within these NDCs and that these elected officials who are not performing should be replaced by persons who are able to efficiently run these local government bodies.
I have been part of this process and it was completely devoid of political interference as would have been expressed by Mr Raj Lakram in one of his letters to the press. None of the PPP officials he mentioned was present at this consultation.
The Consultation was done by Mr Vickram Bharrat, a PPP Parliamentarian and former Chairman of the Grove/Diamond NDC. At the inception he requested me to outline what the Kilcoy/Hampshire NDC has achieved under my Chairmanship. When I finished outlining the achievements of the NDC due to the collaborative team effort of the entire council, there was a resounding applause from the councilors and it became clear that myself and the Vice-Chairperson can count on the continuing support of the NDC councilors.
Despite this however, councilors were then requested by Mr Bharrat to make their contributions. They agreed that the NDC team has been successful.
However this consultation process was criticized by Mr Lakram as being political. But I want to assure him that this performance evaluation of the NDCs is vital to ensure that these NDCs continue to perform in the interest of their various constituencies. These councilors ran for their respective constituencies under the banner of the PPP ,so why should they not be accountable to the Party.
It must also be borne in mind that at these consultations, residents from the NDCs are invited to make comments on the performance on the NDC as well. This makes the entire process a democratic one which respects the fact that sovereignty indeed belongs to the people.
Can we imagine what would happen if this consultation is not done? The possibility is that we can end up with a Chairman and Vice Chairman who no longer serve the interest of the people. This will result in the people losing confidence in the PPP and its ability to serve them.
What councilors and elected officials must carefully note is that Chapter 28:02 clearly outlines the various functions which the NDCs must perform and these elected officials must ensure that these functions are carried out efficiently and effectively.
Of course, adequate finance is the constraint to do everything the residents would have wanted, but consultation and communication will resolve many issues. This is where the NDC must also engage the Regional Democratic Council to assist in matters which may be beyond their limited resources. Moreover, certain capital works can be done through the RDC budget.
Effective rates collection and proper budgeting are important aspects of the administration of the NDC and subventions must be properly utilized. It is a fact that some NDCs have huge arrears rates and taxes so the answer is not about raising rates and taxes as Mr Lakram would have suggested in his letter. There are ways by which the NDC can engage the rates defaulters and get them to pay, even though Chapter 28:02 gives legal solutions.
If Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons want to retain their status quo then they must fulfill these functions. The councilors and residents are part of this consultation process so the aim is not to control and give ‘political twists’, but to fulfill their mandates as required by Chapter 28:02 in conjunction with the Constitution.
In conclusion, the Chairman of the APNU-controlled Lancaster/Hogstye NDC was recently removed for allegedly corrupt practices, was this because of ‘control’ and political twist’? No, that was seen as a move in the interest of the NDC and the residents. Why should this consultation be seen as a process to get rid of certain people?
Poor performance and corrupt practices is the recipe for removal from office! The PPP is a grass root Party that fully understands the needs of people! ‘Micromanaging, manipulating and dominating’ are characteristics of this APNU/AFC Government and Mr Lakram should do an analysis of what is currently taking place in the country. He should start with the appointment of the GECOM Chairman. That’s a perfect example of ‘micromanaging, manipulating and dominating’ by none other than the President.
Haseef Yusuf
RDC Councilor –Region 6
Chairman –Kilcoy /Hampshire NDC

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