Imagine New Providence residents sharing in the decision making process of the central government as a concept that was initially implemented exclusively for the Family Islands.
It would involve possibly zoning the island into quarters with chief councilors representing each segment.
The Minister responsible for local government V. Alfred Gray said he is even ready to present his Cabinet colleagues with a recommendation to that effect.
“It is my intention to bring my cabinet colleagues a paper which represents the possible introduction of local government to New Providence,” he said. “The time is now and I believe that local government could work in New Providence.
But before such a move is made, consultation is intended, he said.
Minister Gray sees local government as a viable and feasible mechanism that could also benefit the only island in The Bahamas that has been left out of the loop and on which the central government is located.
Currently 20 of the 40 parliamentary districts are on the smallest island in the country – New Providence – that holds the seat of power and has the most residents. When local government was first introduced in 1996, the government did not believe that the mechanism was warranted in New Providence.
“It is envisaged that we will divide New Providence into parliamentary districts or east, west, north and south districts,” Minister Gray said. “Each of those districts would have a chief councilor or a mayor or whatever we call them.
“But I believe that the time is now to start the discussion on local government in New Providence.”
But skeptics are reluctant to wholeheartedly endorse the process for New Providence claiming that it has been tainted by the politics in the Family Islands and mired in scandal like the one involving Freeport Council and the most recent in which an island administrator and a councilor were involved in a violent confrontation.
But proponents urged critics to look beyond the rifts.
Exuma Chief Councillor Rev. Franklyn Williams attests to the benefits.
“One of the strengths is the mere fact that it brings the government closer to the people in terms of knowing exactly what we would need rather than having someone from New Providence saying what we would need. We are closer to the problems and are in a better position to deal with it,” he said. “Another strong point is whatever project is coming to the island it is the government’s policy that local government would give its view on it.”
But he claimed that one of the biggest downfalls is that many persons do not understand exactly how the process works and the role of local government and are confused about the council’s scope of power.
Local Government was designed to complement the Central Government under a system whereby local communities participate in the decision-making on those matters which impact them directly. The boards have the power to grant small contracts for minor community repairs to garbage collection.
Long Island council member Preston Cunningham also had a glowing report about the process. He referred to improvements like including the island administrator’s vote in instances where there is a deadlock on a particular matter in the community’s interest.
“It is my view that New Providence is where local government should have actually started because everybody does not know everybody. But in some of these small Family Islands when it comes down to certain decisions being made it could be very tricky because as soon as a name is mentioned everybody knows him or her and there could be bias,” he said. “The system could be more fair in New Providence in dealing with people.”
Last term, his board considered improvements in sporting facilities around the island and arranged the relocation of the local government office to a renovated building.
In the 2005/2006 budget the government has made provision for over $118,000 in increased allocations for various districts. In one instance – the City of Freeport – the allocation is intended to be whittled down by $220,000. Over $1.2 million has been budgeted for capital developments under local government.
Minister Gray has admitted that officials have encountered some hurdles in the administration of the local government act. He said because of this and on the heels of consultation with Family Island administrators, councilors and members of the public, amendments are being crafted to the Local Government Act.
“In the next few days perhaps those suggested amendments will be taken to the government for its approval or otherwise,” he said.
One of the amendments relates to the re-introduction of the Department of Local Government. Currently, although a budget is allocated for local government but there is no specific department head.
Minister Gray said that Cabinet has already approved the change.
By: Tameka Lundy, The Bahama Journal
