THERE are incidents of national character where mixed signals are being sent; and in so doing, it is hurting the government’s campaign commitment to bring about a different form of governance. The conflict between the national governing APNU+AFC and the opposition PPP/C councillors in no small way hurts the residents of Region Five and reduces the opportunity for citizens to benefit and bring about a cohesive governance system which they have been calling for.

It is encouraging that President Granger responded to public concerns, intervened, and called for the stalemate to end even as he charged the councillors to work together in the interest of the region and country. It is not lost on the society that this problem was going on for months, and many have wondered why it took so long before it was settled. But this, thankfully, is now behind us, though it should be used as a teachable moment going forward. The new councillors of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, while at their inauguration gave the commitment to work for, and on behalf of, the citizenry, have been divided in their positions regarding an agreement with a private contractor to install parking meters in the city, allegedly with exorbitant charges and without any form of consultation with stakeholders. The outcry from the citizenry and those who do business with the city was not treated with deserving concern by those in support of the decision. One councillor was even emboldened to say he has no apology to offer — ignoring that the public was not asking for an apology, but was calling on the Council to listen to them and correct what they construed as a wrong.

In the midst of the discord between citizens and Council, the latter was adamant that it would proceed with installing the meters and the price point, irrespective of public opinion. The decision to proceed was also taken even as Central Government made public that it had asked the Attorney General to look into the contract. It wasn’t until members of Central Government subsequently advised that the contract was in conflict with the law that the Council was prepared to stop and listen; and it can only be hoped that now it would proceed with due diligence.

In Region 10, there is the ongoing discord between the mayor and the councillors and the mayor and town clerk. This discord has its origins in Council members being unclear about the roles and responsibilities Councillors bear as against those the Town Clerk bears. Where the former has responsibility for formulating the policies and developing the programmes for the town; the latter, who is chief executive officer of the town, has — along with her team — responsibility to develop and implement activities emerging from the programmes, within the confines of national laws and the town’s by-laws. What is emerging from the Region 10 discord is a perception that the mayor is of the view that he is the town clerk’s boss; though the town clerk, consistent with the structure, reports to the Council at statutory and special meetings. With the absence of Local Government elections for 20 years, this hiatus facilitated elected mayors — and deputy mayors in some cases — to take advantage of, and integrate themselves into, Councils; arriving at their offices giving the impression that their activities were full-time. Even in the city of Georgetown, there is no legal position for a mayor with executive responsibilities.

As such, many who contested for positions on councils in the March elections did so on a misunderstanding that the office brings with it attractive financial and other trappings, such as motor cars, drivers, and round-the-clock security.

Now recognising that they are not the beneficiaries of what have been perceived as entitlements or part of their conditions of service, some have utilised the public sphere, directly and indirectly, to lobby for same.

Then there is the present issue of the University of Guyana student loans, which highlights another area of absence of agreement among leadership within the Government. Finance Minister Winston Jordan had alluded to restricting travel out of the country for those owing on their loans, but this was overtaken by the President’s pronouncements that restriction of travel is illegal, and this government will not restrict movement.

It is understandable that, in coalition governments, consensual positions would require working hard behind the scene; and this must not be sacrificed, lest it lends the appearance of fragmentation and disunity. Society will take its cue from this government’s actions on whether the country can ever achieve cohesion. Understandably, the APNU+AFC coalition, be it in national, regional or local government, has to be mindful of the signals it sends, in order not to thwart the people’s aspiration and support for a different approach to governance.