"In this local government reform process, we are building capacity at the councils, so that when you call them and make a report, the parish council is in a position, if not to respond fully to your needs, to at least acknowledge that you have a concern," said Montague, state minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.

He made the call during a town-hall meeting at St Matthews Anglican Church in Santa Cruz on June 22 after touring several facilities in St Elizabeth, including the parish council, the Santa Cruz Market and the parish's infirmary.

Accountability

Montague added that the new thrust is to give citizens the power and autonomy that can enable them to be involved in governance, and urged residents in communities across the island to demand to know the role and responsibilities of their local representatives and hold them accountable.

"We are calling on you, the citizens, to be partners in this process, to play an active role, go to the committee meetings, go to the council meetings, inform yourselves and insist that every councillor be accountable to you," the state minister stressed.

Montague also urged persons to pay their property taxes and fees charged by the parish council, as the taxes and the fees are used to provide services, such as street cleaning and road maintenance.