Bill to strengthen local government completed

Charles said the bill will give more autonomy to local authorities
Charles said the bill will give more autonomy to local authorities

The Local Government Authority Bill, which will strengthen local authorities here, has been completed and plans are in place for consultation with cabinet on it, acting Prime Minister, Justina Charles has said.

“Today I can say to you that I am reliably informed that the review and refining of the Local Government Authority Bill is completed and plans are in motions for consultations with cabinet,” she said at the 17th inaugural meeting of the Coulibistrie/ Morne Rachette Village council on Wednesday.

She explained that the bill “seeks to address legislation issues, that will strengthen and give more autonomy to local authorities,” and “as soon as the bill is presented to cabinet and a road map is established, the local government in Dominica will be more effective, efficient and relevant to provide excellent service delivery.”

Meantime the chairman of the council, Ericson Robinson, has pointed to an increase in the salary of the council’s clerk as one of the major achievements for the last term.

He said the mere $1,200 that the government contributed to the Local Government Authority for clerk’s salary was “not sufficient” and the council had to raise the necessary revenue to provide the increase.

The clerk has now been employed for 16 years in that capacity.

Minister for Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs, Catherine Daniel, urged the new council to be “objective” in their approach with regards to the sorting out of government incentives and to make sure they go to those in need.

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12 Comments

  1. AP George
    January 10, 2015

    DNO, what are the provisions of the Bill?

  2. January 9, 2015

    Marriage makes people become what they are …isn’t that funny ?

  3. Worried Dominican
    January 9, 2015

    I only hope that this liberalization of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT does not turn out to be another door being opened in order to ensure that money can be passed from the treasury into accounts where those amounts can be more easily accessed by persons who wish to eat cheese, milk and ham from the cow!!! Remember the amounts which were paid out to the local authorities before the election for quick projects, as well as the amounts that were stolen on two occasions recently from the offices of local government by armed thieves?? Is that really the best direction to go in at this time??

  4. concern
    January 9, 2015

    Thumbs up to the Chairman mr. Robinsons some clerks served and some r still serving for 30yrs and more at a salary of 1,200.00 magway sa. I hope the lgc and d ps opens their eyes to work on increasing clerks salary. I understood that there r no pension, no gratuity for council clerks come on treat the ppl right. If there is another stabilization levi to take place in d country the clerks will b part of it but any increase, percentage, and back pay they r out of it.. i hope every chain and blockage to the clerks will b broken.

  5. Me
    January 9, 2015

    The proper procedure is for proposals for new laws to be submitted to the House of Parliament, not just the cabinet. Was this a slip of the tongue by Justina Charles or are we witnessing the beginning of rule by decree? We should be concerned and on our guard.

  6. Crow Crow
    January 8, 2015

    What was your price? your O.K price. Pastor Bull, your prayers are needed.

  7. Stupes
    January 8, 2015

    This lady is Minister of Sports and have done NOTHING for sports, have no plans to revitalize SPORTS.

  8. Jon Carson
    January 8, 2015

    Hon Acting Prime Minister, are there mechanism in place whereby professionals can obtain or have access to such documents of course, it have been release and consulted with Cabinet?

    There are several “fraternities that it is paramount that this Bill be discussed and consulted with as well. Such Bill has the potential to significantly impact and affect the country and individual Local Governments were they a party to the process?

  9. Efficatious
    January 8, 2015

    Hooray! Three cheers to you Justin,beautifully done much needed,block drainage can now controlled.

  10. Nac Vibes
    January 8, 2015

    Would this woman be anywhere near the parliament building were she not married to the late PM?

    • PS
      January 9, 2015

      Very good question but you must understand that Skerrit needs someone pliant who is no threat to this authority and totally beholden to him. Imagine a scenario with Ma Charles as P.M. and Skerrit as Exececutive President, residing in the Palace. Remember he has more than 2/3 majority in the parliament and could amend the constitution without the need for a referendum.

      • shaka zulu
        January 9, 2015

        Only if the people allow it to stand. That is where we as the populace come in with demonstrations and revolt. Remember we still have the power.

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