Hillsborough, Carriacou, September 1st, 2010- Minister for Finance Hon. Nazim Burke has commended Senator George Prime for his consistency and determination in ensuring that the constitutional rights of the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique will soon be fulfilled through the implementation of local government.
Minister Burke was at the time attending a consultation at the Hillsborough Government School on the proposed amendments to the local government bill developed by Dr. Francis Alexis, QC.
Hon. Burke, in his comments, added that the involvement of all citizens in local government is a great opportunity for the further development of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Sen. Prime, Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, an ardent advocate for local government, said its establishment will make the communities of the 13-square-miles island stronger, bringing active participation of citizens in development matters.
Also participating in the consultation was Permanent Secretary with the responsibility for Local Government Implementation, Bernadette Lendore-Sylvester. She gave an overview and historical prospective of local government, which she noted was practiced in Grenada for over 100 years; however, it was disbanded in 1969 by the then Prime Minister Eric Gairy.
It is the hope of the Tillman Thomas-led administration to have the Local Government bill go through all stages in Parliament by November 2010, and the election of the council in 2011.
