Minister asks local government officials to account for ‘low productivity’

LOCAL government officials were called to a meeting at which they were asked to account for their “poor management and low productivity.”

In a release on Wednesday, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government said its line minister, Kazim Hosein, held an “historic meeting” with mayors, chairmen and CEOs of the 14 municipal corporations.

It was held at Kent House, Maraval and began in the morning and ended in the afternoon.

The release said Hosein reminded those present that proper management is a driving factor of productivity.

He said, “For years I have been listening to the cries of citizens on the inefficient service delivery from the corporations…It is clear that there is a management problem within the 14 corporations and we are here today to start the process of finding solutions to these problems.”

He said while he understands possible financial constraints, they have a duty to provide accountability to the public.

“Today’s meeting was geared towards upgrading and standardising the current procedures in order to improve the systems at the local government level. Recommendations were invited from the mayors/chairmen and CEOs on possible avenues that can be implemented to improve productivity and encourage efficient management across the 14 municipal corporations, state agencies – Rural Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (RDC) and the CEPEP Company Ltd, as well as at the ministry.”

He reminded the officials of the importance of teamwork, “…whether you sit on the political or administrative arm.

“We all have a job to do that will directly impact the output of our organisations. Let us put aside our differences for the sake of service to the people and by extension our country, so that we can achieve the most as local government practitioners.”

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello told Newsday the meeting was “quite good and successful,” and that the corporations are willing to fulfil the mandate they were given.

He said, "There seem to be some loopholes in terms of work ethics, we've had reports of people not coming to work on time and then leaving before they're supposed to.

He said his corporation will do a "manpower audit and productivity index."