The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

WORKS and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting said an amended Local Government Act will be brought to Parliament next week to strengthen local government in the Family Islands –– but he could not confirm whether the administration would follow through on its promise to introduce local government in New Providence.

Some Family Island chief councillors recently expressed frustration to The Tribune with the Davis administration’s delays in enhancing local government powers. They noted that financial constraints have prevented them from addressing critical needs within their communities and completing important infrastructure projects.

During the weekly press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Sweeting acknowledged the challenges local governments face, such as insufficient funding, hiring staff and managing services themselves. He emphasised the need for Family Island local governments to have revenue-raising powers, enabling them to fund initiatives that address their communities’ needs.

“We are going to strengthen local government in the Family Islands and once we see how that operates, then you can look at providing a different model because persons have a different view on what local government in New Providence should or would look like,” he said. “So, my goal is to ensure that it functions properly before you bring something to New Providence that creates chaos more than solutions.”

Mr Sweeting said the new bill took about a year to develop and was shaped by a 19-member committee of representatives from each constituency in the Family Islands. Two consultants were hired to oversee the process. He described the bill as “for them, by them,” ensuring it reflects the needs and aspirations of the Family Islands.

During the 2023 Speech from the Throne, the Davis administration pledged to change the local government law to enhance the institution in the Family Islands. In its Blueprint for Change manifesto, the Progressive Liberal Party also committed to creating a local government regime in New Providence. However, little has been said about this promise since then. The Minnis administration had similarly promised to introduce local government in New Providence, but failed to do so.