The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

NOMINATIONS for local government elections took place throughout the Family Islands yesterday, with elections set to take place on June 23.

Speaking before a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government Minister V Alfred Gray said the government is looking forward to the results.

“I am pleased to say that nominations for local government elections are to be today and after that we will know who would’ve offered to be elected throughout The Bahamas,” he said. “The elections are set for the 23rd of June and it will go from eight in the morning until six in the evening, just like the general elections and we are excited about the opportunities.

“I hope that the Family Islands people will select the person who they think is best able to serve their needs in the local communities. I would hope that they do it and whatever the results are we will live with them and improve on whatever we can.”

Mr Gray also said that given recent amendments to the Local Government Act, he expects local government to soon begin operating more efficiently.

“There had been some amendment with respect to the Local Government Act and of course those amendments do not take away any authority from local government,” he said.

“They solidify the authority but there are some checks and balances which were not in the original Act so we (in central government) could always know what they are doing.

“There are reporting conditions. There are conditions which have to be certified by the minister. It’s just a matter of knowing what they do rather than everyone doing their own thing. There is also an amendment which we are glad about, the fact that when the amendment comes into effect, there will be a provision for a director of local government and a deputy director of local government which we do not have now and so the local government department has no literal directions. All the directions are from the ministry level and we’re hoping to change that a bit.”