The Opposition PNM's local government plans include developing local contractors in each corporation region who will get preference in award of contracts in those regions, rather than contractors from outside those regions.And corporations should be allowed to tap into thousands of houses which are now not on their rolls and should be allowed to keep the taxes from this for corporation operations.PNM MP Colm Imbert and PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley spoke about PNM's local government plans during yesterday's local government campaign launch, at Woodford Square, Port of Spain.Rowley said in 18 months a new PNM government would implement its local government policies. These included copying the executive council model used by Tobago's THA. He said this works for Tobago, citing as an example that Tobago public buildings are "the best kept" in T&T.
Rowley said corporations should be allowed to collect and keep taxes to assist corporation operations.He said there were thousands of houses which were not now on corporation rolls and if local authorities found them and collected those taxes, they could go to funding local government bodies.On plans to develop local contractors in each region, Imbert said, for instance, if there was a project in Diego Martin, no contractor from deep South would be able to get that since it would only go to a contractor in the Diego Martin area.Other plans include allowing corporations to enter into contracts on their own subject to tender rules with severe penalities/sanctions for breaches of tender procedures and corruption.Also planned is maintenance of schools by corporations. Councillors will develop relationships with schools in their areas to treat with them, Imbert said.The PNM proposes a 100-plus municipal police force with more responsiblities for municipal police including regulating traffic, neighbourhood patrols.