THE Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2015 ,which includes Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in the local Government system for all purposes was yesterday passed in the National Assembly.The Bill makes some consequential amendments, increases penalties in a number of areas, and gives the Legal Affairs Minister the power to prescribe, by Order, fees payable for any process,

including the process of parate execution.
The Legislation, addresses, inter alia, the age-old problem of wanton disposal of garbage, which often impedes the free flow of water in the drainage system.
When the Bill becomes law, any proprietor or occupier or anyone acting on behalf of a proprietor or occupier who fills in or interrupts the free flow of water in a waterway meant to provide drainage and irrigation in any local authority district, will be liable to a summary conviction and a fine of not less $300,000, nor more than $500,000.
A further fine of $10,000 will be applied for each day the offence continues after conviction.
The Bill also provides for the local authority, acting on the written instruction of the Minister, to remove the blockage in the waterway, and add any expenditure incurred in the removal of the blockage to the rates payable by the proprietor of the property.
A fine of $20,000 will be charged for the littering of any public street or road or parapet in a local authority, or dumping of any domestic or commercial or industrial or hazardous garbage in an area not designated as a place for dumping garage.
A fine of $5000 will be imposed for each day that the offence continues after due and proper notice was given.

ESTABLISHMENT OF NDCS
The Legislation also provides for the establishment and maintenance of a constabulary for each NDC maintained by the Councils from their own resources. In addition, members of each Constabulary may bear arms, in accordance with regulations made by the Minister, and enjoy all the powers, privileges and immunities conferred on a Police Constable by any law for the time being in force.
This aside, the Bill provides the local authority of a neighbourhood, village or country district, with approval of the Minister, to exempt on the ground of poverty any lot or building from the payment of any rates under the Principal Act.
The Minister also may, for any purpose for which a local authority is authorised to make by-laws, cause those by-laws to have effect in any neighbourhood, village or country district.
Piloting the Bill, Minister of Communities, Mr Ronald Bulkan informed the House that the legislation has its genesis in constructional reform, following the upheaval that accompanied the 1997 Regional and General Elections.

The unrest resulted in then leaders of the PPP/C and the Opposition signing the Herdmanston Accord, which de-escalated the conflict which was taking a toll on the country.
One of the recommendations of the Accord was the strengthening of the system of local Government, which Minister Bulkan said is vital for local democracy, as it allows for respectful and meaningful decision-making at the level of local Government.

REBIRTH OF LOCAL DEMOCRACY
The Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2015, he said, is vital to this process.
“The passage of this Bill will pave the way for the rebirth and renewal of local democracy in our country; it will enable the Administration to set about the task to repair the broken system that we have inherited. Mr Speaker, the management of communities is not the direct responsibility of the Central Government, but rather of Local Government; this is what our Constitution provides, Mr Speaker,” the Minister said.
National Security Minister, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan said the Bill diffuses power at the central levels, and invests it in the NDCs, which are more knowledgeable, and would be better able to address situations peculiar to them.
The establishment of Constabularies at NDCs, he said, is an auxiliary to the Police Force supporting the maintenance of peace and order, but in their respective communities.
Attorney-General, Mr Basil Williams contends that a strong local government system empowers the citizenry, allows for greater scope in building social cohesion, and the harnessing of the best talents in the service of the people.
APNU/AFC Members of Parliament also spoke on the Bill. And despite some expectation, the PPP/C again did not show up in Parliament.

By Tajeram Mohabir