APNU launches election campaign

Ahead of the much-anticipated Local Government Elections scheduled for 2014, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has launched its elections campaign.

The campaign was officially launched by APNU Campaign Director Winston Felix on Thursday at the Leader of the Opposition Office, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. According to Felix, APNU will be focusing on the “renewal of real local democracy” in the country.

“APNU promises to protect democratic institutions. For local democracy to flourish, people must be able to make decisions to manage their neighbourhoods and municipalities without overbearing interference and intervention from central government,” Felix posited as he stressed on developing a tradition of real democracy.

According to APNU campaign director, local democracy is best nurtured by councillors who live in close proximity to the people they serve. But funding is essential for the sustenance of local government organs across the country, he said as he accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic of neglecting this area in particular.

With funds garnered, the APNU, he said, will promote the development of public infrastructure. “For towns and neighbourhood councils to enhance the quality of life of their residents, they must have the ability to build and repair structures such as community markets, drainage canals, bridges and roadways and provide services such as the disposal of solid waste, street lighting and sporting activities and facilities for women, children, and the young.” It is essential for local organs to receive training to build their capacities to better respond to emergencies and protect residents from environmental hazards, he added.

Community focused

APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had collaborated on the passage of the Municipal and District Councils Amendment Bill, the Fiscal Transfers Bill and the Local Government Commission Amendment Bill which have been enacted. However, the Local Government Amendment Bill, which was also passed in the National Assembly, was rejected by President Donald Ramotar as unconstitutional. Nevertheless, APNU said it will direct its energy towards electing democratic, adequately-funded and better equipped councils.

Questioned about the coalition’s strongholds in the upcoming election, Felix said “the whole of Guyana, the entire of Guyana. This is not a stronghold question, this is an issue-based question, this is not about political parties winning and losing, it’s about communities throwing up their own leaders, helping to pursue those issues affecting their livelihood.”

According to the Local Government Ministry, Guyana could expect Local Government Elections by the third quarter of 2014. Opposition Leader David Granger said the APNU was planning ahead, noting that it would not be caught off guard. “We want to stay ahead of the game,” he told reporters on Thursday. The party is in the process of mobilising possible candidates to represent the various districts.