By Rabindra Rooplall

NINE candidates are contesting to represent the Bartica municipality at the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE) under the party Bartica Independent Green Alliance (BIGA).
One of their main priorities is to transform the township into Guyana’s model Green Town and the group comprises mostly businesspeople, who claim that the group is the most viable choice for Barticians.According to computer scientist and physicist Sergio Joseph representing constituency #2, he believe from a fundamental understanding of Local Government that it should be about grass roots Leadership managing the affairs of the community and always in the best interest, and the will of the people.
It is with this Ideology, he said morals and ethics is a very important fabric of good leadership especially in a society of Bartica, where a large percentage of the community is religious.

“Bartica is a small place, go where they live and ask those who know them. Not those who may want to tear down their characters for political mileage. In contrast others speak about moral and ethics as their platform and love for the community and thought it not best to enlighten people the true meaning of local governments which is almost a new concept for most of us but prey on the ignorance of the population to give up their power to local arm of central government which is against the merits or ideals given by law to the people through the Local Government Act,” he explained.

Emphasizing that the party shares President David Granger’s vision for Bartica, the computer scientist said the President’s vision is to have the right people who are equipped academically with problem solvers who are more interested in doing it right than just getting it done.

He said that the party has members and candidates that include: teachers, social workers, community activist and leaders, hard- working business men and women. “We have people in touch with people and the root causes of every major problem that we encounter in Bartica. A balance of youth and elderly with a track record of performance and serving selflessly in this community. We have a support staff of Doctors, Bankers, Nurses, Housewife’s even Garbage Collectors just to name a few.”

He said that the party cannot show works of millions of tax payer dollars as competency, but they can hold the Government accountable to the will of the people.

“I say to the supporters of our opponents I presented insight on why we are here today; learn the facts of LGE and you will realize the importance of local democracy and I believe you will realize the only choice is to vote for the BIGA Group. Even the fears that are being peddled makes no political sense, that we will be starved of resources to realize our vision and that of the Presidents’ if you support us. This posture further supports the importance of keeping your power to choose in every community development from hence fort. And say no to political bully-ism that we have so long fought against last May,” Joseph underscored.

He called on the persons supporting the opposing groups to realize that the upcoming election is not about Central Government but about citizens within their communities choosing the best people to serve their interest locally.
Calling on those who are politically frustrated because of lies in the past, the physicist said that the leaders of the two major political parties contesting in Bartica may have been place in the position they are in without fully understanding the facts about local government and what it means to the people of Bartica to keep their power to manage their own affairs.

“I ask you as you to study the facts and come to realize what’s best for the people of Bartica and that you humbly surrender your current position because it is the morally right thing to do for your people and embrace the only independent group in Bartica. Team BIGA and its Reps have no political masters to serve all we have is a love for Bartica and its people and them only we stand today to serve,” he declared.