HPS, Minister Persaud both optimistic of 2012 staging
NEWLY appointed Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Ganga Persaud said, last week, it is more than likely that local government elections will be held this year, in keeping with a commitment made by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). He offered the prognosis during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, reiterating the Administration’s pledge to the citizens of Guyana.
However, amidst his optimism, he did acknowledge that such elections cannot be held until Parliament addresses certain pieces of legislation that are vital to the process.
“We are committed to doing that… we are hopeful that early on the Parliamentary Agenda will be the issue of local government elections and getting enabling legislations out of Parliament so that it can be assented to and that we can hold elections as soon as possible,” Persaud said.
Until such time, he assured that his ministry will continue to work along with the various local government organs and the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) to build capacity and sustain high levels of operations, to deliver services to the citizens.
The conclusion of local government reform has been publicly identified in the PPP’s 2011 manifesto and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon said this would allow for the staging of local government elections sometime this year.
He made that announcement during a post-Cabinet media briefing, at Office of the President last week, when he noted the importance of the Tripartite Initiative in this regard.
“The objective is to allow for local government elections in 2012 and that has led to the likely scenario being played out of Cabinet and stakeholders, identifying aspects of local government to be reformed in concert with the constitutional and statutory requirements,” Luncheon said.
Local government elections were last held in 1994 and a joint task force, established in 2001, submitted recommendations to overhaul the system.