STAKEHOLDERS and residents of Linden were on Friday urged to be the change they want to see, by getting involved in the process of local governance and local democracy, but to do so from an informed perspective.

They were told to let their voices be heard, their opinions known and to participate in their local democracy, since they are the most important element in the local government system. This was the charge given to an audience of stakeholders, entrepreneurs, regional officials and youths at the Public Awareness Programme hosted by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC). The programme was co-hosted by the Ministry of Communities under the theme, ‘Leveraging Local Democracy for Community and National Development, Local People, Local Purpose, Local Participation, Local Empowerment.”

As LGEs draw closer and the electorate continue to seek information, especially the young voter population, the programme was aimed at edifying residents of their very pertinent role in ensuring the LGEs are a success.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Yearwood, in her feature address said that LGEs are a significant element of the local government system, the goals and objectives of which are designed to be kept in touch with the needs of the communities. This can only work, she said, with the participation and involvement of every member of the local community. “The local government system puts power in the hands of the people, in your hands, with central government being a crucial partner; but it is the citizens who drive the process, this means that every person, every group, every organisation must embrace and participate in the process,” she said.

She urged the stakeholders to use the power bestowed upon them, to get themselves acquainted with the system; keep up with current affairs; hold community meetings; and get involved at the community level. “Too many times people stand on the sidelines and watch; LGE is the surest way in allowing you to have a say, in a manner that the affairs of your town are conducted,” Yearwood said. She added that those elected will be held accountable to the people. “The change the electorate may be crying for, can only come if they make it and if they get involved.”

Explaining further was Mr. Roger Rogers , project team member from the Ministry of Communities, who said that the overall mandate of the ministry is to build cohesive, empowered and sustainable communities. Critical to the realisation of that mandate, is to strengthen the municipalities which manage those communities. A local government public awareness and stakeholder institute project was then established to overlook major deficiencies within the municipalities, so as to bring a solution. “The overall goal of the project is to enhance stakeholder participation in local governance processes in Guyana.

The project is designed to serve as a pilot, generally aimed at raising the capacity of the Local Democratic Organs across the length and breadth of Guyana, to be actively involved in our national development agenda,” the stakeholders were told.

Awareness programmes across the country have been targeting various groups within the communities with the aim of allowing these groups to be more actively involved in the local government process, so it is therefore addressing information gaps. The project is seeking to have maximum participation, especially from stakeholders who have major say within the municipalities.

Speaking on behalf of the Local Government Commission was Commissioner Mortimer Mingo, who also highlighted the importance of information and involvement. He said the commission has the mandate of ensuring that the requisite laws and policies are implemented to ensure the effectiveness of local governance.

The commission, he noted, will also very shortly roll out a very robust programme to sensitise the various municipalities, NDCs and citizens about their roles mandated by the Act. “One can have no better satisfaction of offering yourself up of being of service to your people within your communities; it is a rich and rewarding experience and therefore, I certainly will endorse and encourage residents of Linden to come forward and to avail themselves through the process that is available, to be of service to your community, either through the municipality of Linden or the NDC or through the RDC.”

Mayor of Linden Waneka Arindell gave an overview of the strides the Council would have made since the 2016 LGEs and why it is necessary for a continuity of local democracy.

Some of the strides highlighted were the twinning between major developed cities and networking; raising the minimum wage of staff; purchasing compactor trucks and procuring a tractor amongst others. The town, she said, was better able to sustain itself by increasing private/public partnership and to enhance local talent. The municipality she said, is in a better place to not be fully dependent on central government, but to work as a community and to think outside of the box to change the dynamics of our communities. “We have begun to see development in our town and I am making a commitment to our constituents, to continue to focus on a campaign that will spur economic growth and development, leverage educational resources, build entrepreneurship, improve youth participation in sports, even as we see the high standards of academics in our township,” she said.

The programme also saw local businesses, manufacturers and agro-processors exhibiting their products at a mini-fair.

Four political parties will be contesting Local Government Elections in Linden on November 12. These are “The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), The Alliance For Change (AFC) and the United Republican Party (URP).