People must accept change

EXPECTATIONS are high that last month’s Local Government Election will inject new blood into an institution which is yet to achieve its full potential in serving the population of Trinidad and Tobago. This is the common view shared by persons on either side of the political divide, veterans and newcomers alike.

The July 14 polls saw the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) score an overwhelming victory over the Opposition United National Congress and make several inroads into what was once regarded as UNC heartland territory.  The PNM won 83 seats to the UNC’s 43, won at least one seat in every local government body, snatched the Sangre Grande and Siparia Regional Corporations from the UNC and drew 3-3 with the Opposition in the Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation. While the drawing of lots saw the UNC retain control of that corporation and leave the balance of power at nine-five in favour of the PNM, there was little the Opposition could be proud about as it arguably suffered the worst political defeat in its 14 year existence.

However with the dust now settling on the political battlefield, the arduous task of making local government work now begins, and the initial signs are that both the PNM and UNC want to achieve this elusive goal. Newly-elected San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly told Sunday Newsday that there was way too much bureaucracy in local and central government and making the system more proactive and people-oriented will be one of his top priorities. “People must accept change. Transformation must take place,” he declared.  Atherly described San Fernando as “a high performance four cylinder engine,” with Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Junior Trade Minister Diane Seukeran (as MPs of San Fernando East and San Fernando West respectively) being two important parts of that engine at Central Government level. Atherly was optimistic that together with San Fernando City Corporation CEO Marlene Coudray, they would form the other half of that engine at the local government level. “I don’t think we have a stronger team anywhere else,” the mayor added. Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Chaguanas Orlando Nagessar believes the new crop of local government leaders will continue the work started by their predecessors. While he was very vocal during the recent election campaign about the Government’s policies and alleged PNM actions on July 14, Nagessar said it was time to put those things in the past and get down to the business of delivering goods and services. He stated that all councillors, regardless of political affliation, must “work as a team for the good of all.”

In their inaugural addresses, former ambassador Suruj Rambachan (who replaced Nagessar as mayor) and new Princes Town Regional Corporation chairman Khemchand Ramdath appear ready to act on Nagessar’s advice. Outgoing chairman of the TT Local Government Association (TTALGA) and former Point Fortin Mayor Francis Bertrand stressed upon the need for proper training of local government representatives for their upcoming duties. Bertrand told Sunday Newsday this was the essence behind a local government seminar to be held at the UWI’s St Augustine campus on August 5 and 6, which will be formally opened by the Prime Minister. Bertrand recalled that when he first became mayor, he learnt how to do his job the hard way because no training was given to him at the time. Bertrand shared Atherly’s and Nagessar’s views about the need to keep politics out of the daily operations of local government bodies and said this was something he tried to promote in local government in his capacity of TTALGA chairman. He said he was heartened at Manning’s statements on local government reform, especially giving mayors and chairmen a voice in the Senate but not a vote. Bertrand added that the issue of terms and conditions for local government representatives has been a longstanding problem and he was optimistic that next week’s seminar will assist in addressing it. Bertrand, who is due to demit office in September, expressed his optimism of a bright future ahead for local government. Following the swearing in of the new Port-of-Spain City Corporation two weeks ago, Local Government Minister Jarrette Narine predicted that none of the squabbling for funds which occurred under the former UNC regime would rear its ugly head this time around. Narine also revealed that a draft local government policy was being prepared and will be debated in Parliament in September. However time alone will tell whether local government will finally become the bride or forever play bridesmaid to Central Government.