Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 20, 2019 News
The Local Government Commission (LGC) will remain open despite reports that the commission lacks resources to fund its operations.
Last week, reports emerged that the commission had closed its doors as a result of lack of funding. However in a statement yesterday, the Local Government Commission noted it will continue to serve the needs of the local government organs, public, and other stakeholders.
Officials close to the Commission reported that the staff of the Local Government Commission (LGC), and its Commissioners have not been paid their salaries for January.
Former Local Government Minister and Commissioner, Norman Whittaker, has issued a statement detailing that the issue is likely to hamper the operations of the duly constituted body.
Whittaker accused officials attached to the Ministry of Communities of promoting an insidious parallel administration aimed at interfering with the work of the Commission by way of unauthorized interventions and directives.
“As at January 31, 2019, the staff of the Local Government Commission, and its Commissioners have not been paid their salaries because the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities has either unilaterally decided or has been directed not to sign the cheque to facilitate such payment.”
According to Whittaker, the issue not only stymies the work of the LGC but also denies the Commission staff the benefits to which they are entitled and which is provided for the Commission.
“The Local Government Commission is rooted in the bowels of the Constitution of Guyana (Refer Article 78A of the Constitution); and is specifically provided for under the Local Government Commission Act No.18 of 2013.
The LGC commissioner noted, too, that the law provides for the LGC to independently manage its affairs within the ambit of the Constitution and the Local Government Commission Act.
“In this regard also, we are aware and do appreciate the requirement of accountability to the National Assembly.
Sections 22, 23, 24 of the Local Government Commission Act 2013 allows the Commission to, inter alia, (a) employ necessary staff and to determine their remuneration and “other terms and Conditions of employment (b) determine its “own annual budget” for submission to the Minister of Finance and approval of the National Assembly…”
However, according to Whittaker, the Local Government Commission is being treated as a subvention agency and is required, inter alia, to write to the Ministry for releases to meet approved expenditures.
“It is our understanding that Constitutional Commissions like the Local Government Commission are required to function within their annual Budget approved in the National Assembly and subject to the same regulations as other Budget Agencies.”
The Permanent Secretary’s refusal to sign the cheque to facilitate the payment of staff salaries of the Commission’s staff and its Commissioners for January 2019 must be a faux pas, which we place in the public purview with the expectation that it be corrected by the Minister and his Permanent Secretary,” he added.
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]