The National Caucus of People’s National Party (PNP) Councillors is once again calling on the Government to discontinue what it considers the willful practice of disrespecting the office by disregarding their designated roles and responsibilities within the local authority.

The caucus, in a statement on Tuesday (July 4), was gravely perplexed that well over a week since Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ announcement of a community upliftment project, councillors were yet to know how they would be involved.

“We note, with great concern, that the Government’s recent announcement of various projects, including the Jamaica 60 Clean Up Project and the Black Tank Distribution Project, have all circumvented the office of councillors. On Tuesday, June 27, Prime Minister (Andrew Holness) announced a Community Upliftment Project, with a total budget of [J$252 million], to be administered by Members of Parliament. The project encompasses upgrading works on parks, sidewalks, community spaces, street signs, and the removal of zinc fences, all of which aligns with the roles and responsibilities of councillors, yet we have been excluded,” said Mayor of Spanish Town Councillor Norman Scott.

The caucus is concerned that these initiatives seem to bypass the involvement of councillors, who were elected with the mandate to ensure the development, management, and maintenance of crucial infrastructure and public facilities such as parochial roads, water supplies, drains and gullies, parks, recreational centres, markets, abattoirs, pounds, cemeteries, transportation centres, public sanitary conveniences, and public beaches.

The National Caucus of PNP Councillors says it firmly believes in collaborative governance and insists that the mandates of both levels of representation, national and local, be respected to foster a harmonious and respectful working relationship.

Additionally, the caucus is emphasising the importance of involving community-based organisations closely aligned with local representatives in the implementation process.

Once again, the caucus insists that the Holness include councillors in this initiative and other projects that have been implemented without the input of the local government authorities but which they are expected to drive.

“Over 1,800,000 citizens who voted in the Local Government Election are observing the persistent breaches that diminish the effectiveness of their local representatives, whom they have elected to serve in this capacity,” concluded Scott.