– Minister Lall
MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall and Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin, held a follow-up meeting, on Thursday, with Officials from the Linden Town Council (Region 10) to facilitate the continuation of discussion from the previous meeting held on January 14 in Linden.
The follow-up meeting  took place in Minister Lall’s office in Kingston, Georgetown where he noted that there is continued progress in resolving the Council’s issues and a way forward for the spending of the 2009/2010 Government subvention, which is still outstanding.
As a result of the meeting, decisions were made on how the money must be spent. However, it is expected that by the end of February a part of the money would have been dispensed while ensuring that the projects do not clash with 2011 plans.
He further indicated that work has commenced on the preparation of the Municipality’s budget, and hopefully, in a matter of days, it would be completed allowing it to be vetted and approved in a timely manner.
Minister Lall stated that it has been found that there has been a total breakdown of the financial and regulatory systems, difference in interpretation of the Municipal and District Council’s Act and several bad practices that have been entrenched in the system over the years. This has resulted in the creation of a very fractious environment in the Linden Town Council.
Minister Lall and Corbin were able to instill in the officials the need to create a new environment of cooperation and understanding where everyone has the same objective while providing a better quality of service to the residents of Linden.
The Minister is planning to return to Linden for another meeting to address concerns and promote cooperation. (GINA)