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491
Integration of Garrison Communities
15.43.
In addition to our process recommendations under the previous
heading,
we recommend
the following (i) to (iii)
infra
, for urgent consideration
and action by the GoJ.
(i)
Political leaders, must commit themselves to ending the
allocation of the Government’s and the political party’s
resources to Dons in order to reduce the influence of these
types of person. In this regard, State funds for use in a
constituency (e.g. Constituency Development Fund) should
be administered by a representative board rather than at the
direction of a Member of Parliament.
(ii)
Resources should be targeted at garrison communities to
facilitate the development of skills training programmes and
remedial schooling for at risk youths within those
communities. We are well aware that there is a tendency to
regard garrison communities as being specially deprived
areas when, in fact, relative to other poor communities, they
tend to be specially favoured in the allocation of State funds.
The implementation of this recommendation should
therefore have regard for and be consistent with the
principle of fair allocation of State funds.
(iii)
If not currently being done, the Social Development
Commission should introduce initiatives to promote and
expand the work of youth clubs, sports clubs, and the Boys’
Scouts and Girl Guides Associations. Such organisations are
useful in promoting character-building and fostering respect
for discipline.