The opposition People’s Progressive Party is increasing its resort to protest action as a form of putting pressure on the government.
On Tuesday, party executives and members protested outside the Ministry of the Presidency and called on the government to end the delay and appoint the Local Government Commission forthwith.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” PPP Executive Secretary Zulficar Mustapha said when reminded of the PPP’s delay in establishing the Commission, while in government.
It was under the PPP rule that the National Assembly passed new legislation, allowing for the establishment of the Commission.
The Commission was never operationalized by the PPP.
Ironically, President David Granger, then Opposition Leader, had held weekly protests outside the Office of the President in 2014, urging the government to operationalize the Local Government Commission Bill, which was assented to by then President Donald Ramotar.
Mustapha said the PPP has already named its representatives and will not support any further delay.
He said Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan had promised to set up the Commission by September 30.
Four days later, there has been no explanation from Bulkan and neither has the PPP sought to engage the Minister.
The protestors held placard that read “Bulkan is a bully.”
Mustapha said the Commission was very important for passing budgets of local government authorities and appointing local government officials.
“Right now Bulkan is usurping that authority and we believe the government wants to control local government. They fought for this while in opposition and now they should appoint it,” he added, while accusing the government of reneging on its promises.
The PPP said the protests will continue until the Commission is appointed.
Similar protest actions will be held outside the Ministry of Communities today.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login