PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has urged elected officials to work collaboratively to improve services to communities regardless of their political affiliations.
In highlighting the significance of local governance, President Ali reaffirmed his administration’s commitment and readiness to partner with all elected officials across the political spectrum on the basis of mutual respect, accountability and inclusivity.

This assurance was also echoed by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo who said earlier that regardless of the outcome of the local government and municipal elections, all promises made by the PPP/C will be honoured.

According to President Ali, a fresh approach to governance is essential, ‘one that is aligned to the needs of modern times, financial accountability, diligence in revenue collection, protection and preservation of public assets, timely and efficient services, greater responsiveness to citizens and an end to internal discord.’
This is indeed a mouthful, but cumulatively it touches at the very core of effective and good governance. In the final analysis, it is the extent to which the people’s business is being effectively addressed that ultimately matter.

The electorate, both at local and national elections, vote for parties and candidates whom they feel can best represent their interests.
Elected leaders are therefore expected to serve the interests of their respective constituencies to the best of their abilities and within the parameters of the resources available to them.
Unfortunately, this was not always the case. There were instances when elected members of the opposition political parties deliberately stood in the way of development in those regions where they have political control out of a politically jaundiced view that it will make the governing PPP/C administration look good. Such an approach is both shortsighted and certainly not in the best interest of citizens.

The ruling PPP/C administration, to its credit, has been largely successful in mobilizing financial resources to improve the quality of life of citizens, both at the local and national levels. Resources, it must be said, can never be enough to meet all community needs.

This is why it is so important for stakeholders from all parties and groups to work collaboratively to optimize available resources in the public’s interest.
In the recent swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected mayors and deputy mayors of the 10 municipalities at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, President Ali urged the leaders to work together with central government to foster development and progress in the respective constituencies.