Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Janine Lélis, assured today, at the Specialized Committee for the approval of the Statute of Municipalities, that the document will reinforce decentralization and increase new responsibilities for municipalities.
In this case, in statements to the press, Janine Lélis highlighted that the statute to be approved is an instrument that will “significantly reinforce” decentralization, which, according to her, resulted from an evaluation of more than 33 years of local government.
“It adds new responsibilities in terms of political participation, because it brings other instruments that reinforce democracy at municipal level, and reinforces the competences of municipalities in several other areas that were not present until now”, said the minister.
She gave as examples the areas of combating poverty, planning in relation to the development of tourism, strengthening competences in relation to issues related to agriculture, gender-based violence, the social reintegration of prisoners and consumer rights.
In the case of gender-based violence, she mentioned that this is one of the new responsibilities of the municipalities, understanding that local authorities are closer to and deal with issues of this nature on a daily basis.
Janine Lélis also added that this is a law that requires a simple majority, and therefore she expects the municipalities to positively assess the proposals, adding that it was an open discussion.
“We believe that we will truly have a new law that will empower and strengthen democracy at municipal level and the functioning of municipal bodies,” the minister stressed.
The proposal, she concluded, also strengthens municipal assemblies, in order to guarantee them greater autonomy in their own functioning.
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