Dear Editor,
As we approach another local government election I am begging and beseeching the major political parties, mainly, to improve on the capacity and technical competences of the candidates they are selecting to represent them at the polls.
For too long we have seen where the ability of councillors are of such that they cannot plan, develop and execute projects on behalf of the very people they represent.The lack of competence and their ability to think effectively have given rise to the rapid decay of most rural communities. Local government is the people's government, it need representatives who can plan and speak effectively on citizens behalf.
How many of the 225 parish councillors can effectively analyse an environment impact assessment report on a project for the division? How many of them can look at the demographics of the division and develop a plan, do a cost-benefit analysis of funding, stand in a stakeholders' meeting and speak confidently, definitively and articulately on behalf of the people of the division.
This is now the time to correct such a glaring shortfall in the service delivery of the councils and municipalities. They ministries are filled with civil servants of great educational competences, repute and technical capacities. Therefore, the political directorate with the authority for policy direction must be equally endowed with people of high levels of educational ability and technical competences to augment that of the implementing arm of the councils for better service delivery.
Fernandez Smith
Duanvale PO
fgeorgesmith@yahoo.com
Local gov't needs good candidates too
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As we approach another local government election I am begging and beseeching the major political parties, mainly, to improve on the capacity and technical competences of the candidates they are selecting to represent them at the polls.
For too long we have seen where the ability of councillors are of such that they cannot plan, develop and execute projects on behalf of the very people they represent.The lack of competence and their ability to think effectively have given rise to the rapid decay of most rural communities. Local government is the people's government, it need representatives who can plan and speak effectively on citizens behalf.
How many of the 225 parish councillors can effectively analyse an environment impact assessment report on a project for the division? How many of them can look at the demographics of the division and develop a plan, do a cost-benefit analysis of funding, stand in a stakeholders' meeting and speak confidently, definitively and articulately on behalf of the people of the division.
This is now the time to correct such a glaring shortfall in the service delivery of the councils and municipalities. They ministries are filled with civil servants of great educational competences, repute and technical capacities. Therefore, the political directorate with the authority for policy direction must be equally endowed with people of high levels of educational ability and technical competences to augment that of the implementing arm of the councils for better service delivery.
Fernandez Smith
Duanvale PO
fgeorgesmith@yahoo.com
Local gov't needs good candidates too
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