Local Govt. Elections in November

…once GECOM gives go-ahead – Minister of Communities 
Local Government Elections will be held in November once the go-ahead is given by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). This was the assertion of the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, as he recently addressed the

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

National Assembly.
The address was Bulkan’s first as a Minister. He was speaking to a Motion which sought to have the House approve policies of the new government as outlined by President David Granger during his address at the convening of the Eleventh Parliament. This motion, which was taken to the House by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, was eventually approved.
While several other Ministers spoke to the Motion on the previous day (Thursday) Bulkan was among those whose speech came just before the Motion was passed on Friday last.
During his address, Bulkan outlined his intention to fulfil his sector’s mandate. In this regard, he listed some key objectives of his Ministry which include promoting decentralisation and democratic engagement, and ending the era of top-down government, by honouring Constitutional provisions relating to local governance and local democracy.
The new Ministry consists of the former Ministries of Local Government and Regional Development, and Housing and Water. The decision to integrate the previously separate ministries was explained by the Minister as being related to people’s quality of life, in which the condition of one’s community is a major component.
As part of its quest to realise more cohesive, empowered and sustainable communities, the Minister said he will deploy a strategy by empowering and equipping local democratic organs to deliver satisfactory services, promote integrated water resources and sanitation management, and provide quality housing solutions to satisfy the needs of communities and residents across Guyana.
Minister Bulkan added that there will be the strengthening of the regional administrations, operationalising of the local government commissions, creation of national solid waste and waste water plans, a housing policy, and a cohesive plan for loss reduction and energy efficiency.
As he addressed local government, Bulkan said that the hand of control and domination will be replaced with the hand of support.
“The Administration will aim to build the capacity of local government organs to discharge their constitutional roles and functions.”
He then noted that the long awaited elections will be held in November, once GECOM gives its blessing.
Bulkan also said that the Department of Regional Administration will eventually divest itself of the task of managing the affairs of the 71 Local Democratic Organs and concentrate on supporting the activities of the 10 Regional Democratic Councils. Special attention will be given to develop the hinterland areas, which the Minister described as being in crisis.
“We will work to eliminate the extreme poverty that exists in our hinterland regions. We will utilise the abundant natural resources to bring about material prosperity to transform the lives in our hinterland regions,” he stated.
The international community continues to advocate for the holding of Local Government Elections in Guyana.
ChargÉ d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Bryan Hunt, in a relatively recent interview with Kaieteur News said that President David Granger, in his private discussions as well as public statements, has made it clear that he thinks Local Government Elections should be priority for Guyana
Guyana has not held Local Government Elections since 1994, even though it is supposed to be held every four years.
In the lead up to the General and Regional Elections of 2011, the People’s Progressive Party administration promised to ensure the holding of Local Government Elections by 2012. However, after the Party formed the first minority government in Guyana, the then President Donald Ramotar decided that it was “risky” to hold Local Government Elections while his party had such a political standing.
At that time, David Granger, who was the Leader of the Opposition, led several picket exercises calling for the holding of the Local Government Elections. He had promised that he would see that Local Government Elections are held if he got into office.  Granger now heads an APNU+AFC coalition government. (Abena Rockcliffe)