Chaguanas East MP and Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Vandana Mohit, has called for stronger collaboration between Local Government and the Ministry of Works & Infrastructure.
She was speaking at a Joint Select Committee meeting on Wednesday.
Chaguanas East MP and Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Vandana Mohit, highlighted the need for regional corporations to develop stronger partnerships with stakeholders to better benefit the citizenry.
Speaking at a Joint Select Committee on Local Authorities, Service Commissions and Statutory Authorities, Minister Mohit reflected on her own experience as a local government representative, noting the frustration of requests going unanswered.
“At every meeting Councillors will follow up on their request. And when these representatives have no response because they have no material, or equipment is not available, or they don’t have manpower, the political arm becomes frustrated.”
Minister Mohit stressed that coordination between stakeholders, particularly when it comes to road works for example, must be strengthened.
“The relationship needs to be improved between the Ministry of Works and local government because I do not think it’s a tit for tat and blame game. It has to be both ministries working in tandem.”
She added bureaucratic delays only makes things worse for the public.
“It’s gonna take a very long period of time to get these things fixed. Potholes are gonna get bigger and things are going to become worse nationwide and where the problems exist, we should be fixing that so it does not continue to occur and we have that good partnership ruling.”
Minister Mohit urged all stakeholders to maintain clear lines of communication and attend the various collaborative meetings for the benefit of the wider public.