…Min Bulkan charges new Region Two NDCs’ representatives

MINISTER of Communities Ronald Bulkan has said that the recently held Local Government Elections (LGEs) is another promise kept by the coalition government to restore local democracy and he charged representatives of Region Two to own up to their sacred roles.
He was at the time addressing the new representatives at their swearing-in ceremony on Monday in Anna Regina. “We kept that promise,” said Minister Bulkan, as he reminded his audience of President’s David Granger’s promise to maintain the LGEs when they are constitutionally due.

On Monday, the minister charged the Region Two Neighbourhood Democratic Council’s chairpersons and deputies to own their roles and collaborate for the betterment of all in their communities. The 2018 LGEs were conducted within the prescribed time frame and were the fourth since independence. Minister Bulkan said the LGEs “were not an exercise in politics, but an opportunity to deepen the local democratic process” across the 670 constituencies.

Describing the occasion as historic, the minister of communities charged the newly sworn-in officials to understand the comprehensive nature of the system. He also said the polarisation that occurs during general and regional elections and the resultant ‘winner-takes-all process’ is the polar opposite of the LGEs. He added that the current system of empowerment must be so engraved that any successive government must not be able to institute any Interim Management Committee as had happened under the previous administration.

He added that as minister of communities, his job is to lend a helping hand to all officials and ensure that they all cooperate. He promised to ensure that a book outlining the Districts and Local Democratic Organs and Councils Acts is given to all elected officials, thereby ensuring that they are cognisant of their roles and responsibilities. The minister quoted from the foreword written by the President in the handbook, urging officials as they go about their vital work: “To own your roles, you are the bedrock of your system; serve out of a sense of commitment… LDOs [Local Democratic Organs] should be representative, inclusive and effective, collaborating to ensure all citizens enjoy a high quality of life.”
He noted that the inaugural National Congress of Local Democratic Organs (NCLDOs) held in July will now be an annual activity; and the officials will have the opportunity to network with all of the other leaders, make suggestions and deepen collaborative ties. The enhanced remuneration packages, he explained, was one of the suggestions arising from the last NCLDO and government will continue working to ensure many more become a reality. In brief remarks, Regional Chairman Region Two Devanand Ramdatt lauded the recently concluded LGEs noting, “We have sustained the action of cooperating in a peaceful way as we go about our business. He added that it is important that the three tiers of government work together with communities, be courteous and serve in the best interest of all the people. “The tasks that lie ahead are important and once the public’s confidence is built, more can be achieved… We must work cohesively to build our communities and country in 2019 and beyond… Citizens must have an input into decisions which affect them.”

Sworn in were Evergreen/Paradise NDC Chair Lionel Boodhram and Vice-chair Olnydia Laurie; Annandale/Riverstown NDC Chair Charran Sarabjeet and Vice-chair Seerojanie Singh; Charity/Urasara NDC Chair Parash Kishore and Vice-chair Shakti Kellawan; Good Hope/Pomona NDC Chair Andy Ramnarine and Vice-chair Arnold Adams; Moruka/Phoenix Park NDC Chair Sheldon English and Vice- chair Garfield London; Kitty/Providence NDC Chair Dexter Cameron and Vice-chair Esther Raymond; Aberdeen/Zorg-en-Vlugt NDC Chair Jayashtree Persaud and Vice-chair Rohan Budhram Persaud; Nile/Cozier NDC Chair Narad Persaud and Vice-chair Savitree Tulsiedass. The elected officials take up their posts from January 1, 2019. (DPI)