HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon has said that Cabinet has noted the ongoing work of the Special Select Committee established to consider the bills dealing with the statutory framework of Local Government.

He was speaking at his post-Cabinet press briefing Wednesday at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

“The Local Government Elections 2009 will be held under a new statutory framework. This is a long standing commitment by the body politic,” he said.

He stated when Cabinet met last Tuesday, it noted the ongoing work of the parliamentary Special Select Committee.

“Cabinet recalled that the bills were tabled in parliament, an act consistent with the commitment of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, and clearly with the expressed intention of giving them legal effect upon enactment,” he said.

He also observed, “The full complement of the Special Select Committee is now onboard and meeting, and that has been since the delaying tactics of the opposition were fully exposed.”

Dr. Luncheon said the anticipation about the work in parliament and its timely completion continues to be considered by Cabinet.

When asked if the government is concerned about a delay in the elections, he reminded that all of the players have publicly committed to Local Government Elections in 2009.

“I would not be the first to say that they are some whose expressions are patently false, and who have little intention of providing consistent support for holding Local Government Elections in 2009,” he stressed.

However, he stated, “I want to believe that at this point, the correlation of forces is sufficient even to take the detractors onboard, and take them along with us to a successful hosting of Local Government Elections in 2009.”

Pointing out that ‘he is not unaware’ of some tensions that have surfaced, he emphasised, “But the expectation is that this constitutional body and its members in place for elections, they would be able to resolve those issues and still pull off the 2009 Local Government Elections.”

Among the five pieces of legislation before the Special Select Committee are the Fiscal Transfer Bill; Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill; the Local Government Commission Bill; and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill.

The last Local Government Election was held in 1994, and the Task Force which was established, following dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and the late Mr. Desmond Hoyte in 2001, to deal with matters connected to the Local Government Reform process, was terminated in April this year after failing to agree on key issues.

Government is expecting to have Local Government Elections by November 30 this year.