THE EDITOR, Sir:
It is remarkable how the People's National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party have suddenly become interested in Local Government elections, when over the past 12 years or more they have been satisfied with such elections being held only once. Suddenly, the parties are 'logging on' with 'vim, vigour and vitality'. Suddenly, Local Government, the Cinderella, ugly duckling, poor relation and 'woman scorned' of Jamaican politics has become an absolute darling. Let Jamaica beware!
This apparent interest is not indicative of the desire or the ability of these parties to contribute effectively to Local Government. It is merely a ploy to hoodwink the Jamaican electorate.
The fact is that Local Government has been allowed by both parties to deteriorate to the extent where it is now in a crisis. The country needs to take a searching look at the present system. The broad questions to be addressed are (1) Should Jamaica have a system of Local Government? (2) If it should, what form should this take? (3) If it should not, what system, if any, should be substituted? Now is the time to tackle this matter, as this is the beginning of a new parliamentary term and the minister with responsibility for Local Government is experienced, hardworking, has common sense and likes a challenge. That challenge should not be to 'carry water in basket' but to restructure municipal administration.
My suggestion is that instead of elections being held within the next few weeks, Local Government Councils should be suspended for at least three years. The statutes effecting this suspension could provide that the Councils should be administered in accordance with section 116 of the Parish Councils Act and section 227 of the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation Act, with the necessary modification, while they are suspended. Those sections set out how a Council should be administered when it has been dissolved by a Minister.
Thereafter, in a nutshell, a task force should be established to receive submissions and make recommendations within six months. Depending on its recommendations and the decision of the Government the rest of the triennium should be used to either restructure Local Government appropriately and have it written into the constitution or to abolish it and establish an alternative system. A sea change is needed.
At the end of three years, on a reasonable 'guesstimate', at least a billion dollars in election expenses and salaries and incidentals for councillors will have been saved and the country would, hopefully, be rid of a gargantuan white elephant providing sustenance for insatiable milk drinkers but very poor service to the public.
Does the Government have the courage to do what is right?
I am, etc.,
BERESFORD HAY
P.O. Box 1191
Kingston 8
