Election about local government reform

The People’s National Movement (PNM) highlighted local government reform as a major campaign promise in its general election manifesto.

The Local Government Minister has demonstrated an admirable level of commitment to keeping this promise which should certainly work in the PNM’s favour at the polls.

The recent consultations conducted by the Ministry of Local Government over the past year is a positive signal to the national community.

These 14 consultations across TT , however, must form a substantial component of the draft White Paper presently before the Cabinet.

Regional corporations must be given a real level of autonomy to service their communities and burgesses.

This means that corporations must have control of their budgets so they can undertake projects, make decisions and be accountable to the people. This is a real opportunity for the Government to reconnect with the people. As the saying goes, “all politics is local”. It is therefore the next level of our development and it is reassuring to know that when implemented, it will result in reallocating power to the people.

The effect is that regional corporations will be responsible for their own projects and will no longer have to seek funding and approval from central government. There will be no more unnecessary delays, excuses and bureaucracy. Councillors will be empowered and community development will take on a more practical revision.

If this new system takes effect with the structure proposed, there will be 1,400 new municipal police. This crime-fighting strategy will heighten the police presence within communities.

The increased monitoring and surveillance will help with crime prevention and detection, making our inner cities and communities safer.

Water resource management, disaster preparedness management, information communications technology, human resource development, local area planning and development, and corporate restructuring of the municipal corporations are all areas designated for implementation within the new roles and responsibilities of local government. Local Government Minister Franklyn Khan described the local government reform as a way to bring autonomy to regional corporations and free them from political interference.

This local government election is a real opportunity for change.

RONALD HUGGINS St Joseph