Local govt the place for ranger squad

The Agriculture Ranger Squad was relaunched recently with much fanfare by the Minister of Agriculture. This relaunch followed the relative failure of the previous squad in dealing with praedial larceny. I have no doubt that this new squad will also fail, the principal reason being that it is anchored in the wrong place. The proper place for the Agriculture Ranger Squad is the local government bodies where every councillor will be familiar with all the farmers in his area. Further, each local government body already has a municipal police service familiar with all the roads and area of the Regional Corporation. The squad can operate as an arm of the municipal police. At the monthly meetings of the council, reports will be obtained as to the number of incidents of praedial larceny, the cases investigated, arrests made and all other relevant details. 

 

The councillor for the area will be fully informed as to the incidents of praedial larceny in his area and the effectiveness of the squad in dealing with this. The councillor is the person best suited to monitor this entire matter. In the People’s Partnership Local Government Manifesto of 2010, such a relationship between local government and the agricultural sector was envisaged. At page 12 under the heading ‘Concept of the New Councillor,’ it states “meaningful linkages must be established with the agricultural communities to ensure that they have proper access roads and other services.” Also at page 17, an entire section deals with local government and agriculture and states clearly that the councillors must work with farmers to assist in planning and development of each aspect of the agricultural industry. Councillors must insist that central government implement its local government manifesto, not only what is spelled out, but also its spirit and intent and ensure that the Agricultural Ranger Squad and agricultural access roads be vested in the local government bodies.

 

Lennox Sankersingh

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