Village Councils in Dominica have been advised to reduce their reliance on support from central government.
That is the advice coming from Roseau South Member of Parliament Ambrose George who told the 9th inaugural meeting of the Loubiere/Fond Baron/Madrelle Village Council yesterday that over-dependency on parliamentary representative does not mean good for local government.
“Village councils in some areas are replying more and more on the parl reps and the central government to pout resources in their hands to undertake activities. This seems to be the growing trend and this is putting extra taxing and burden on the government. Even in some instances when government makes resources available, there are certain attitudes that develop where 4even among the councils, there is rivalry and this doesn’t auger well for local government,” he said.
Former public officer Rosemond Leblanc has been retained as the chair person of the council.
He is right there are manything a village council can do to collect revenue. In addition they are wasting the funds from Government
THAT IS NOT TRUE…AT LEAST FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL THAT I WAS A PART OF
Can you imagine a new village council chairman getting aggressive in tax collection?
First off he would be trying to get blood out of a stone because many people are unemployed.
Secondly, the villagers would quickly accuse him/her of being heartless and uncaring. They would only last one term in office having made many personal enemies in the process.
A lot of Dominicans don’t think they have an obligation to pay property taxes.
funds going low, remember before election skerrit and dem just used to give money to the village councils with not form of acountability…
foushet in de cabinet
A PEOPLE GET THE GOV’T THEY DERSERVE, AND AS SUCH DOMINICA IS NO EXCEPTION. THESE FAKE DLP MEN WHO HAVE ABSOLUTLEY NO RESPECT FOR THE OFFICE THAT HOLD HAVE RAPED THIS COUNTRY AND WILL NOT STOP UNLESS WE RAISE UP AND PULL THEM OFF.
Is the Government bankrupt the reason he is
pleading?
Property taxes, and the collection process, should be vested in the village council.
Government must first revise those ancient laws which govern village councils.Village councils must be given greater powers to handle the affairs of the various villages.It must not be a requirement for trained public servants like nurses, teachers, and others to resign their jobs just to serve on village and district councils.If councils are to carry a bigger burden,then the laws must be changed to allow the councils to function without undue government involvemenT.What about councils having the power to take tax evaders to court? What about councils having the power to to write a budget? Before you make such statements,Mr George please adress these and other issues.All laws governing village/urban/district councils must be changed.
Most of the Village Councils exist in name only. Residents do not pay their property taxes, denying the Local Govt Authorities revenue to do minimal work in the villages. These Councils are further undermined by Central Government which has opted to put taxpayers’ money in the hands of the Parl Rep and local party cronies to spread to buy votes instead of assisting the Councils to undertake genuine community development work.
I recommend disbanding Village Councils and replacing them with Zonal Development Councils. Each will represent a collection of villages concentrated in one particular geographic location. They would be responsible for implementing regional development plans in tandem with Central Govt and represent the concerns of villagers at the national level. Members of the Council would be elected by the people except for two members who will be nominated on recommendation of local organizations (such as CBOs and NGOs) and by Central Govt.
THE GOVERNMENT IS BROKE. THEY RUN OUT OF MONEY, NO MORE TO SQUANDER.
ARE WE TO SURMISE THAT THE VILLAGE COUNCILS WILL NOT BE GETTING THEIR MATCHING GRANTS ANYMORE?
WORKER HAD WARN US: IS BOYS WITH TOYS. TAKE WHAT ALL YOU GET.
ANYWAYS SKERRIT MILLION DOLLAR HOUSE WELL BUILT
Oh no Reggie, they do have alot of money. Just wait for next election Ambrose is going to call on the council to come to the government for full assistance
OH YEAH
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.
LOOK THEY PLAYING POLITICS WITH SICK PEOPLE AND SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE NOW!
Mr George has a right to make those statements because he is only a nominal pal rep (in name only) we waste our time voting for a pal rep like this and our roads in the area is much to be desired and just look around the area and you would ask “Does this place have a pal rep?’ These people are only in politics for personal gain not for people
Bla, bla, bla. What’s next with this guy? When will he learn what good governance is? There’s nothing good about one who is unfit to lead. Therefore, we pay you no mind.
Question: what is meant by “locaL government” ??? some one please explain…..
well .. ambrose must say that the council eating up govt resources …
What does the ministry for constituency empowerment do again ? what’s it’s purpose ?
MR. AMBROSE;
GOVERNMENT REMAINS CENTRAL BECAUSE OF THE LOCALS.
MAKE A SUGGESTION TO THEM FOR FUND RAISING WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE VILLAGES ARE TOO POOR TO PAY HOUSE RATES.
ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOUR CONSTITUENCY COMMITTEES WILL REPLACE THE LOCALS BY WAY OF GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION?
SOMETIMES YOU BROTHERS CONFUSE THE PEOPLE to a point of PROVOCATION.
WHY?
At a time when villagers are cash straped, high levels of unemployment in rural communities espically among the youths, how are the village councils going to make out with less dependence on government? what government should do is to stop this red clinic foolishness and channel all these funds to the councils to develop projects/program in communities so persons could be gainfully employed, Mr minister pl give this an honest thought and be guided by your conscience
They should get rid of village councils. The concept was a great one at the time but they are no longer relevant or useful.
why aren’t they relevant or useful?
Okay we get rid of them. Done. And what do we put in its place. Don’t just talk halfway. Let’s go all out, the old way not working so what is the solution??
U know, maybe we can put public works in parnership with solid waste to handle the village issues and each village have a sub comittee to touch base with main office…just a thought
So if they don’t rely on central government, who must they rely on? Ambrose talks like the village council is a foreign entity. We are all Dominicans. Whether the money comes from central government through the village council or the central government undertake the do the projects themselves, does not really matter.
I think they should funnel more of the money to the local councils to do village projects with oversight.
Has Ambrose checked the property taxes charged on the average home in teh villages lately? Half the time people dont even pay those taxes. Where is the money supposed to come from, but from central gov.?
Good question piper, there is more to come. Wait and listen.