Decentralised governance model key to unlocking regions’ potential – Minister Bulkan

DPI, Guyana, Monday, February 05, 2018

“The on-going effort to decentralise governance is one that is not only based on promises made by the government during the last General Elections campaign. Rather, it is in keeping with an understanding of what was now prevalent in modern times to unlock the potential of regions,” so said Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, who along with a team of ministry officials met with Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo regional officials, at the Lethem Indigenous People’s Hostel.

The Minister recalled, the second meeting of National Regional Development Consultative Committee meeting, held at the Marriot Hotel, was attended by regional officials from three of the seven Parliamentary controlled areas, namely Barima/Waini, Potaro Siparuni and Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo.

The fact that they chose to attend the event, despite meeting disfavour from the leadership of the parliamentary Opposition, was not lost on the Minister Bulkan who noted that the Opposition seemed “to be encouraging a policy of disengagement or non-cooperation with the Central Government.”

Minister Bulkan said, “It cannot help you in your responsibility to bring about development and improvement, in your region, if you adopt a policy of non-cooperation with the Central Government.” This, he explained, is because RDC’s, unlike NDC’s or municipalities, are funded entirely by Central Government.

The National Regional Development Consultative Committee meeting, Minister Bulkan reminded, provided and will continue to provide a forum for all to, “speak frankly and not to paint an unrealistic picture, so there was clearly no benefit in staying away”. He expressed that the government is pleased with the participation of three of the regions this year, that opted not to attend the initial meeting in 2017. This, the minister noted, indicates that at the regional level, officials “are beginning to understand the benefits that can be had by working together”.

According to Minister Bulkan, “if the hand of friendship and cooperation is being extended by the Central Government, then it is foolhardy not to grasp that extended hand because it could only lead to bringing about benefits to the people of your respective jurisdictions”.

 

By: Paul Mc Adam

 

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