Simpson Miller
Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Community Development and Sport Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has issued a stern warning to the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and the Parish Councils that the Government will not tolerate ineptitude.
She said whichever way the Jamaican people decide after they go to the polls in the Local Government elections on June 19, "there will be no honeymoon period".
In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner on the weekend, the Minister pointed out that she has already told all councillor candidates that "if you are really not prepared for hard work, then back out now!"
She explained that the challenge of Local Government reform requires a committed set of representatives who are willing and able to get the local people involved in the political process and improve efficiency at all levels.
"At present, you have thingsbeing done in communities and most of the times there is no consultation with the people; we must get the people involved," said Minister Simpson Miller.
Asked about improving the image of Local Government bodies such as the KSAC, frequently accused of being an inept body, Minister Simpson Miller said ineptitude will not be tolerated after June 19.
"After the elections you will certainly see a change in terms of the operation of the Council because we are moving to our plan and I have no intention of allowing anyone to derail this plan," she said.
She expliained, however, that Jamaicans can expect better representation from their councillors if everyone sticks to the programme of reform. Every councillor will be trained in the new vision of local government reform and advised of their duties and responsibilities.
"We are going to be having training programmes for the councillors because for them to take this reform programme to run with it, they need to understand it and they need to know what they are getting into."
The Local Government Minister also noted that the quality of candidates vying to become councillors should also bring improvements to local government.
"We have some young bright candidates right now and certainly, they will lift the council and in terms of performance, I am sure they will be able to take the reform and run with it." To assist in the process of reform, the Ministry of local government will also be launching an islandwide public education campaign to inform Jamaicans about the role of local government versus central government. Mrs. Simpson Miller explained also that Parish Councils have been mandated to come up with development programmes with the input of the people of the parish within 12 months. If they fail to do so in the time period, the Ministry has reserved the right to step in and implement a plan of its own design, "and I am sure that no parish would want that to happen," she pointed out. "If we can achieve a reformed local government in Jamaica, some of the problems that we have, I'm not saying will disappear totally, but will certainly alleviate the problems."
