A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul has issued a strong call for controversial Ministers of Local Government Nigel Dharamlall and Anand Persaud to respect Articles 71 and 78 of the Constitution of Guyana which speaks to the independence of Local Democratic Organs.
Mahipaul express great concerns with the actions of the two Ministers, especially in the context of the treatment being meted out to our Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).
The Member of Parliament reminded the Ministers that they are guided by a mission which is to “supervise and maintain the legal and regulatory framework of the system of local and regional administration, to encourage and facilitate the development of the regions and local organs and to support the continued integration and development of the hinterland communities.”
This is not what’s happening according to Mahipaul, he alleges that the Ministers of Local Government are directly interfering with the administrative operations of RDCs, Municipalities and NDCs across the nation.
The Shadow Minister of Local Government and Regional Development wants the Ministers of Local Government and Regional Development to stop directing Regional Executive Officers (REOs) of RDCs, Town Clerks of Municipalities and Overseers of NDCs on how to execute their functions. The elected Councillors are the authorities in these respective organs and not ministers of Government. The Councillors were elected by the people for the people, he said.
A special appeal was made by the Member of Parliament for the Regional Executive Officer of Region 10 to respect the appointment of Mr. Seewchan as the Deputy Regional Executive Officer of the Region and allow him to function as the Programme Manager for Programme One – Regional Administration and Finance.
Only recently the Leader of the PNCR Aubrey Norton again accused the PPP of domination and control following the hostile take over of the Linden Utility Services Co-op Society Limited. Norton warned Lindeners that the Government’s action is intended to facilitate the removal of the electricity subsidy from the Region. This he said will lead to an increase in the cost for electricity in Linden, he warned.
More, In The Ring.
