-–Minister Whittaker
NO local government body, including the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), has the authority to give any citizen permission to squat and/or build on state reserves, Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, said on Thursday in highlighting issues usually discussed with NDC officers whenever they are engaged by that ministry. He made this disclosure at a press conference hosted at the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry’s Fort Street, Kingston headquarters.
According to Whittaker, the ministry reaches out to the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) as part of its oversight responsibilities; and recently, it met with a number of councils, which allowed for discussions on a range of issues, including that of revenue collection through rates and taxes.
The NDC officers were encouraged by the ministry not to reach out to rate payers only when those have monies outstanding, but to inform them of plans, and get their views and ideas on development.
Minister Whittaker said the ministry specifically focused its attention on discussing the issues of budget preparation and the need to allow residents to have a say on developments they would like to see happen with their money.
The ministry also addressed concerns surrounding office buildings, vehicles, and the environment in which the officers work. The opportunity was taken to emphasize on delivery of services and the need for councils to meet people individually, whether at community meetings or at project sites.
The ministry also addressed the issue of squatting, because government has a zero tolerance policy towards squatting. “We impressed upon the council the importance of ensuring that squatting becomes something of the past,” Minister Whittaker said.
The ministry, moreover, used those forums to impress on NDC staff the need for them to be able to account for people’s money, be it government subvention, donations, or the payment of rates and taxes.
The use of reserves is also among key issues that are usually raised with NDCs and municipalities when they are engaged by the ministry, or when they are reached out to in their respective neighbourhoods.