Kwakwani received no Govt. funds after replacing IMC – AFC

Nov 09, 2012 News

By Zena Henry
Three months after Kwakwani residents selected and voted in a 15-man team to represent the community on local government issues, the area has received no funding from the government. It was understood that since the elections held in September this year, the $3M Government funding has been cut.
The Alliance for Change (AFC) has described the Government actions as, “A total disrespect for local democracy.” Parliamentarian David Patterson told media operatives on Wednesday, during the party’s weekly press briefing, that the people of Kwakwani had a right to elect who they wanted to represent them.
He stated that it was wrong for the Government to impose an Interim Management Committee (IMC) on the residents. According to the party member, the residents held their elections and had identified the 15 persons they wanted to act as their representatives. The Government has however given no recognition to those persons.
Patterson said the Government has instead, withheld the $3M funding that was going to the community. He however noted that the small sum was not significant and the community has proceeded with fund-raising activities.
Patterson also revealed that the majority of IMC members, having noticed that they were not popular among the community members, have since withdrawn themselves. Patterson has thus called for the Government to recognize the “duly elected” community members or call local government elections.
Party leader Khemraj Ramjattan stressed on what he said was the improper action of the Government. He opined that the administration would like to install an IMC of their “favourites, friends and flatterers.”
“The task of Kwakwani’s selection of its officials to conduct, even if temporarily their affairs, was made easier for Government when the people went forward and had duly constituted elections and named their 15 appointees,” Ramjattan said. He continued: “Why then, could the Government not see that it was a democratic thing the people did, and then go and start speaking with this 15-man duly elected team?”
The AFC leader concluded that “The Government has put forward that they will not hold those elected in any esteem; they’re (Kwakwani residents) on a frolic on their own and they’re (Government) going to deal with the IMC.”
Residents of Kwakwani were up in arms last August when the government decided to establish an Interim Management Committee (IMC) in that Upper Berbice River, Region 10 community. The residents claimed that they were cheated by the Ministry of Local Government which ‘secretly’ established the IMC. As a result, the residents held elections and elected their own leaders. Local government elections have not been held since 1994.