Teach local govt studies to children

“This local government reform initiative is an important exercise since it forms part of our constitution reform,” Dumas said.

He told the ministry’s staff, “Today’s exercise offers you the opportunity to air your views, comments and recommendations, remembering that your contributions can help shape the final White Paper report.”

Dumas also guided them on the kind of reform needed.

“You must ensure that the reform system includes the necessary strategies, structures, resources and implementation plans to make local government ready and able to perform effectively.”

Dumas noted that the “first port of call when disaster strikes” was the local government system. He said citizens’ expectation level becomes high and the demands they make on the authorities are sometimes challenging.

“Be that as it may, we have to answer the call and satisfy as many needs as possible. Local government, in disaster situations, has to respond positively and immediately and our operational systems must be ready to manage the situation,” Dumas said.

He further noted that the Local Government Ministry plays an essential role in the development of communities since it is the closest agency of government to its burgesses.

He said shortening the distance between citizens and government was a part of the reform of the system and recalled that his own upbringing instilled in him the importance of the citizen. “There were four policemen in my home and my grandfather was a soldier, and I learned early that once a policeman, twice a citizen. I now believe once a minister, twice a citizen.” Dumas said from next week national consultations on the draft White Paper on local government reform would be held across the country. He said strong local governance results from wide civic participation, which include non-governmental organisations, youth, women, the physically challenged and other constituents.

He suggested that to ensure the system is well-entrenched in communities there should be a local government studies department at the University of TT.

Further, the role and functions of local government should be included in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools, he said.

Tracing the beginning of the reform process, Dumas said a reform unit was first established in his ministry, and an inter-ministerial team was then formed.

He said after consultations they went to the Social Sector Committee, a sub-committee of Cabinet.

He said Cabinet sent them back saying a green paper was needed and they did more national consultations. Following this, the team returned to Cabinet with the draft White Paper which was put out for national consultation.

Yesterday, Cornelious Price, the ministry’s decentralization co-ordinator, also gave an exhaustive review of the White Paper. He said a major policy was the sharing of power between central and local government, in which central government will formulate policy and local government will be the principal executing arm of the State, except in portfolios like national defence, foreign affairs and the energy sector.

Another main policy was the enlargement of the Senate to include mayors and chairmen of municipal corporations.

“Though without a vote, they would air community concerns and issues, thereby providing the opportunity for greater influence in national legislation, policies and programmes,” Price said.

It was also suggested that another look be taken at pre-1990 local government boundaries.