| “…no valid justification for further delay”- diplomatsGuyana is coming under increasing pressure to hold local government elections.This time around, the pressure is from the international community- from four of Guyana’s largest donor countries.In a joint statement issued yesterday by the local diplomatic missions — the US, Canada, Britain and the European Union— all said that it was a campaign promise by political parties leading up to the November 2011 General and Regional Elections to hold local government elections soonest.The statement underlined the growing discontent over the functioning of the local government arm of Government which has been a source of criticisms from stakeholders over the years.Government has been moving to replace a number of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and even townships with Interim Management Committees (IMC). It has met with some resistance, like in Kwakwani, Region Ten.Residents have been blaming the state of especially NDCs and town councils for failing infrastructure, garbage problems and other critical issues. It is no secret that some chairpersons have been holding offices for years, becoming power houses within the community.In the meantime,Wholesale Jerseys, local government reforms are engaging the attention of the National Assembly.There has been an insistence for the reforms before elections.IntolerableBut the situation clearly is an intolerable one, the international community said.The diplomatic community, traditionally, would quietly behind the scenes press home their demands.“While Guyana has made great strides in strengthening its democracy, the continued absence of democratically elected and effective local government remains a persistent drag on Guyana’s national development and its attractiveness as an investment destination. Only when people have transparent and accountable institutions at all levels of government — national, regional and local — will they have confidence in their future.”This year,Jerseys Cheap Wholesale, there should be no more delays and Guyana should seize its great potential by affording its citizens strong and effective local governance to build safer, more prosperous, and more democratic communities.The statement was issued by D. Brent Hardt, Ambassador of the United States of America;High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, Andrew Ayre; High Commissioner of Canada, David Devine,NFL Jerseys Supply, and Robert Kopecký, Ambassador of the European Union.The missions noted that during Guyana’s 2011 National Elections, one issue on which all political parties were in full agreement was the need to hold local government elections.“Given the important and pressing need for effective local governance, we believe that 2013 should be a watershed moment for the people of Guyana — the year they can once again democratically elect their local government.”Local democracy goes far beyond the act of casting a vote, they said.“Throughout the world, countries and international agencies have come to recognize the vital importance of representative local government. Effective and efficient public administration coupled with healthy local governance can drive development efforts. Local government institutions bring government closer to the people, fostering greater inclusion,Jerseys NFL China, civic responsibility, empowerment and participation.”Local government offers one of the most important avenues for women and other groups typically under-represented to participate in the development of their communities and influence decision-making processes that directly affect their lives, they said.Development delayedThe diplomats argued that throughout the world, a new generation of democratically-elected local leaders is creating change and sparking national development.“Unfortunately, Guyana has not held local government elections since 1994, and the institutions and practice of local governance have withered on the vine since that time. While the people of Guyana are familiar with the reasons offered for repeated delays in holding local government elections, there is no valid justification for further delay.”The statement pointed out that the local government reforms have been tabled in the National Assembly and they are now before the Select Committee.“While there may be differences between the parties over the role and authority of the Minister of Local Government and over the control and scope of fiscal transfers, these issues can — and should — be resolved as a matter of urgency among all parties in the Select Committee.”It was also noted that the principles that should guide the Committee and the Assembly in reviewing local government reform legislation have been amply articulated in a host of national and international assessments.The statement noted that Guyana’s National Development Strategy of 2000, developed with the support of the Carter Center, called for “a local government system with greatly increased authority, with the power to formulate their own developmental plans and strategies, and with the legal right, within clearly specified boundaries, to enact local laws, and to collect specified rates and taxes, as approved by Central Government.”The diplomats said that all three parties have articulated their principles and commitments to this end,Cheap Jerseys, around which there is clear agreement.“In its 2011 manifesto, the PPP called for reinvigorating local government and pledged to “ensure,NFL Jerseys China, within one year of the 2011 general elections, that local government elections are held, bringing much needed reinvigoration into local government entities.”APNU, likewise, called for “the implementation of agreed Local Government Reforms and the holding of Local Government Elections.” Similarly, the AFC affirmed that in its first year in office it would “implement local government reforms and hold local government elections.”The diplomats were clear that in a political environment in which the people of Guyana and leading civic voices such as the Chamber of Commerce have called for greater national unity and cooperation, this consensus on local government reform and elections offers all parties a vital opportunity to work together in 2013 in the national interest. |
