Local government elections to be ‘vigorously pursued in the New Year
Written by Telesha Persaud
Friday, 25 November 2011 02:36
Source - Guyana Chronicle
Representatives of the country’s Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) at the 2012 budget presentation yesterday.
THE absence of certain necessary reforms has been responsible for the delay in the holding of Local Government Elections; but Minister with the portfolio, Norman Whittaker, yesterday declared that the reforms will be “vigorously” pursued in the coming year.
Whittaker spoke at De Impeccable Banquet Hall on Brickdam, at a forum organised for the presentation of the 2012 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) budget, under the theme, “Enhanced services to promote human and infrastructural development across all NDCs.”
Whittaker, along with several other government functionaries, was on hand to interact with representatives of the various NDCs.
According to Whittaker, local government elections could not take place because of an agreement that was reached with the Opposition that certain reforms in the local government structure were necessary.
Though it is physically and logistically impossible for the elections to be held during the first quarter of next year, the minister said the administration has every intention of vigorously pursuing the reforms.
Also speaking on the need for these elections was Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, who observed that local government elections may be able to produce a “more effective local administration”, with more energetic people who are able to confront the present community issues.
One such issue, the minister observed, was environmental health being put on the back burner.
Ramsaran also observed a shortage of environmental health officers and assistants, and related how the Health Ministry received many complaints that could be dealt with at a regional level, such as how improper poultry rearing can impact on housing areas.
Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, at left, and Ministerial Advisor Clinton Collymore.
He said that the Health Ministry recently inducted about 300 young people for a training programme, including a significant number of nurses and a small number of health assistants.
Ramsaran observed that more health centres are being built, but many are not managed properly.
To assist with garbage disposal issues that were raised, Ramsaran said his ministry and the Local Government Ministry will have to work together to find alternative strategies, such as recycling.
“Why can’t we start a national drive in recycling? This is one of the things I am now quietly looking at.”
He further cautioned that there was a need to change certain mentalities and develop an approach to recruit the school population as change agents.
Following Ramsaran’s presentation, Whittaker urged that the issues be dealt with when the Regional Executive Officers meet with programme heads and others at their monthly meetings. A meeting must be held at least once a month, he stressed.
Also at the morning session of the meeting were Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, former Local Government Minister and Ministerial Advisor Clinton Collymore, and Local Government Permanent Secretary (ag), Mr. Seewchand.
Written by Telesha Persaud
Friday, 25 November 2011 02:36
Source - Guyana Chronicle
Representatives of the country’s Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) at the 2012 budget presentation yesterday.THE absence of certain necessary reforms has been responsible for the delay in the holding of Local Government Elections; but Minister with the portfolio, Norman Whittaker, yesterday declared that the reforms will be “vigorously” pursued in the coming year.
Whittaker spoke at De Impeccable Banquet Hall on Brickdam, at a forum organised for the presentation of the 2012 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) budget, under the theme, “Enhanced services to promote human and infrastructural development across all NDCs.”
Whittaker, along with several other government functionaries, was on hand to interact with representatives of the various NDCs.
According to Whittaker, local government elections could not take place because of an agreement that was reached with the Opposition that certain reforms in the local government structure were necessary.
Though it is physically and logistically impossible for the elections to be held during the first quarter of next year, the minister said the administration has every intention of vigorously pursuing the reforms.
Also speaking on the need for these elections was Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, who observed that local government elections may be able to produce a “more effective local administration”, with more energetic people who are able to confront the present community issues.
One such issue, the minister observed, was environmental health being put on the back burner.
Ramsaran also observed a shortage of environmental health officers and assistants, and related how the Health Ministry received many complaints that could be dealt with at a regional level, such as how improper poultry rearing can impact on housing areas.
Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, at left, and Ministerial Advisor Clinton Collymore.He said that the Health Ministry recently inducted about 300 young people for a training programme, including a significant number of nurses and a small number of health assistants.
Ramsaran observed that more health centres are being built, but many are not managed properly.
To assist with garbage disposal issues that were raised, Ramsaran said his ministry and the Local Government Ministry will have to work together to find alternative strategies, such as recycling.
“Why can’t we start a national drive in recycling? This is one of the things I am now quietly looking at.”
He further cautioned that there was a need to change certain mentalities and develop an approach to recruit the school population as change agents.
Following Ramsaran’s presentation, Whittaker urged that the issues be dealt with when the Regional Executive Officers meet with programme heads and others at their monthly meetings. A meeting must be held at least once a month, he stressed.
Also at the morning session of the meeting were Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, former Local Government Minister and Ministerial Advisor Clinton Collymore, and Local Government Permanent Secretary (ag), Mr. Seewchand.