A New Face for Local Government
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Contact: Julita Peter
Thursday, March 20, 2008 – Minister for Local Government, Honourable Richard Frederick says government is working feverishly to change the local government landscape on the island. Mr. Frederick thinks local government represents one of the best approaches to dealing with the many challenges at the societal and community level.
Local government, the minister said, could, firstly, be used as a vehicle to bring essential government services to the residents of respective constituencies.
“Secondly to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government services throughout the island and thirdly to encourage and promote a greater level of public participation and involvement in the affairs of the nation and its developmental thrust.”
In order to prepare the platform for local government reform, members of the various town and village councils met on March 11th and 12th, for a training exercise, which sought among other things, to provide councillors with a better understanding of the institutional, legal and financial environment in which local government authorities exist.
Local Government Director Lucian Isidore called for councillors not only to understand their responsibility, but to empower themselves to impact positively on the community.
“The series of programmes is intended to provide you with clarity, in terms of your responsibility as local government advocates, to help you identify the context within which you exist. More importantly, it will provide you with tools and skills required to make your tenure a very successful one,” said Mr. Isidore.
New local government authorities are to be established in Babonneau, Dennery North, Micoud South and Vieux-Fort North. A local government task force will also be installed and will work closely with the Ministry of Local Government, in mobilizing resources towards local government reform. |
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