First National Conference of LDOs for June

DPI, GUYANA, Monday, April 16, 2018

Local Democratic Organs (LDOs) across Guyana will, for the first time in Guyana’s history, come together at one meeting place when the Government of Guyana convenes the first-ever National Conference of Local Democratic Organs (NCLDO) later this year.

The event, still in its drafting stage, is the brainchild of President David Granger and will be held towards the end of June this year.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan told councillors of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region and the Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) on Friday, that the meeting will allow officials to speak to the developments and constraints they face.

He was at the time addressing a joint Local Democratic Organs consultation between the two councils at the Bartica waterfront.

According to Minister Bulkan, there once existed another NCLDO (National Congress of Local Democratic Organs) in the 1980 constitution which, he said, was much similar to a parliamentary setting.

Following the reformed 2001 constitution, that official structure was removed. He said, however, that the removal, somehow, did not weaken the local government system, since, according to Article 75 of the constitution, introduces the word “autonomous”. That insertion gives way to the Parliament to “ensure that Local Democratic Organs are autonomous,” he said.

“The word autonomous did not exist in the original version of the 1980 constitution. It is a long word that means having the right to govern yourself or managing your own affairs,” the minister stated.

The idea stemmed from an engagement with President Granger and the Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) of the East Berbice Corentyne Region earlier this month.

According to Minister Bulkan, all LDOs will participate.

“If I could suggest that at that forum if you could come and can relate some of the things you have heard today that these organs recognise the policy directions that the administration is moving towards, recognises the scope that is now being afforded to them to manage their own affairs. And not only is this welcomed and advantageous but what are some of the practical things that are taking place with this daily interaction.”

Minister Bulkan made it clear that much still needs to be done to improve the local government system across Guyana.

 

By: Alexis Rodney