Edmund Campbell, Senior News CoordinatorMEMBER OF Parliament (MP) for West Portland, Errol Ennis, wants the role of MPs to be re-evaluated in the context of the changing role of parish councillors.
With some parish councillors being provided with more resources than Members of Parliament, Mr. Ennis said that this could create institutional problems.
Speaking in the 2006/2007 Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Wednesday, the West Portland MP told his colleagues that a ways and means committee should be established in Parliament to work with the public sector in the allocation of resources. "It cannot be that resources are allocated exclusively by the technicians with the state machinery. It is causing some problems," Mr. Ennis stressed.
Revisiting the debate about regional versus parish councils, Mr. Ennis said a parish council by itself could not execute its duties efficiently.
Making a case for regional parish councils, the West Portland MP said the eastern parishes to include Portland, St. Thomas, St. Mary, are similar in demographics and require specialised attention. He said these parishes suffer the effects of hurricanes, excessive rainfall, have the highest mountains and have predominantly agricultural infrastructure.
In that regard, Mr. Ennis said these parishes should be given specialised treatment and allotted resources to address the needs of the region. However, he pointed out that when funds are allocated within the public sector, the eastern section of the island receives a small allotment.
