Local government forms an integral and essential component of democracy as it contributes to the broadening and deepening of the democratic process. Therefore any society which is seeking to further the cause of democracy, must ensure that it develops a well organised and efficient local government system of which officials and bodies are democratically elected, through the process of free, fair and transparent elections in a periodic manner.

Most unfortunately, through the bungling of the local government reform process, by a Task Force, mandated to carry out this work, after eight long years, the process is uncompleted and is in a virtual stalemate. This has resulted, in no local government elections since 1994 and nearly all the local government bodies are at a virtual standstill or in deep paralysis, depriving residents of the proper delivery of services at the local level.

In addition, a greater strain was placed on the central and regional bodies to deliver services and resolve problems which should have been handled by the respective local government bodies. “The country has suffered too much because of the absence of Local Government Elections, “the President correctly observed.

Against this background the President was absolutely right to vent his frustration and disgust at the snail’s pace of the work of the Task Force which has failed miserably to deliver the goods it was set up for.

His advocacy for a change in approach to the matter by using a transparent process is the best way forward because it is abundantly clear that we are not getting anywhere with the Task Force.

“We want it done transparently, in the public eye, the future discussions, so that if there is any pedantic behaviour on the part of either of the two parties then the public can see this and judge for themselves,” he pointed out.

“Let me make it very clear that I am finished. I am done with this approach where members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and members of the People’s National Congress (PNC) will sit in a close ‘huddle outside’ of the glare of the public eye and public scrutiny and take eight years to conclude two pieces of legislation, and still have another two to work on of the four that are required for us to hold Local Government Elections,” the President declared.

He has said it all and has put the matter in clear perspective.

Perhaps, a lesson should be learnt from this experience and in future when similar exercises are undertaken, comprehensible and appropriate time frames should be established for the completion of tasks, as well as, mutually agreed upon, alternative modes of resolution, if the work cannot be accomplished within the given time frame or if there is a deadlock.

Time and the welfare of the people are our primary necessity, and long drawn out and bungling processes do not help in this regard.

Our nation has had a terrible setback with regards, to the development of democracy which stifled us for nearly three decades. Of special note, is the fact that the last local government election, prior to 1994 was held in 1970, albeit a non-transparent one riddled with fraud. This resulted in our entire developmental process including the development of democracy being held in abeyance.

Therefore, we must resolve, to not do anything, that would keep us again in oppression. We simply cannot afford this.