By Rabindra Rooplall

OVER $1.3 Billion will be expended to conduct Local Government Elections (LGE) this month to benefit the democratic process in Guyana, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said during a special session yesterday on local governance at City Hall.The session hosted by Town Clerk Royston King was geared to enlighten municipal workers on the swearing-in of new councillors and the functions entrusted in elected officials. Similar training is being conducted for the clerks of the 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in preparation for the new councils.
Minister Bulkan said that while in opposition APNU had pledged to put an end to the winner takes all and one party rule while seeking to promote good governance.
“The investment in this election is tangible proof of our commitment… this administration decided that it was not going to procrastinate or prevaricate, but it would discharge its constitutional responsibilities and obligation to ensure that there is early hosting of LGE,” Minister Bulkan said.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION
He said the Local Government Commission will shortly be commissioned for which funding was provided in the 2016 budget. The commission will allow the local authorities to function independently from central government and from any political control.
In explaining the arrangements for the early LGE, Bulkan said it required the passage of legislation, the Local Authority Elections Amendment Act 2015, and the Local Government Amendment Act which was passed in the National Assembly in 2013 and later assented to by President David Granger.

RESPECTIVE GUIDELINES
Minister Bulkan said the elected arm and the appointed arm of local democratic organs will have respective guidelines. This was developed by the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) Project, in coordination with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
“Apart from developing a councillor’s handbook, several modules of training workshops for councillors will be conducted, as a manual for local government officials will be developed this year,” Minister Bulkan said. He further indicated that under the CARILED programme in collaboration with the e-Governance Unit, the Ministry is looking to replicate and expand the financial management software that the city council is currently developing in all other local government organs.
He said the municipal development plans are currently being updated for Georgetown, Rose Hall, Corriverton, New Amsterdam, Linden and Anna Regina municipalities. The three new towns – Bartica, Mabaruma and Lethem – will also benefit under the CARILED programme.
Chairman of personnel training committee, Oscar Clarke said after the conclusion of the LGE, the officers of the various councils will fall under the local government commission. This constitutional body will be responsible for various aspects and functions of all local organs, staffing, appointments and discipline, among other responsibilities that were previously under the purview of the Minister.
“The commission is an independent body that will be responsible to the parliament and to the President, so no longer would anyone be running to the Minister, now persons can be hauled before the commission,” Clarke said.
He said the commission will make their own rules and determine their own operational arrangements.
Veteran Mayor Hamilton Green said the LGE will fulfill the dreams and aspirations of independence in this golden jubilee celebration year.

YOUNGER PEOPLE
The longest serving mayor said he made a philosophical commitment not to extend his record as he intends not to participate in LGE, “because I believe we should give the opportunity to younger people, they may have some crazy ideas but that’s what progress is all about new ideas.”