The time to hide behind the finger when one fails to deliver is over.

Your term of office as a commissioner is also subject to review after six months depending on the material progress registered.

A major reason for this neglect by local authorities has been the futile expectation that somebody would take over the capital development and institutional transformation responsibilities and continue from where the multitude of donors and other external agencies left off between 1998 and 2002.

We expect the local authority to supervise and give technical advice to the beneficiaries to ensure that standards are maintained and, thus, not derail the initial intentions of Operation Restore Order through ensuring that safe, neat and durable houses are built.

We therefore urge the local authority to be innovative and forge partnerships with the private sector for the purpose of joint ventures in the provision of housing to those in need of accommodation.

Grading also encourages the maintenance of services as well as providing a strong incentive for constant improvement as it is an obvious inducement for operators to render good service all the time and not just occasionally. A national grading system allows for our accommodation sector to compete in the worldwide accommodation standards system as it provides a means by which our facilities can be ranked and compared with others. A grading system adds legitimacy to a country's standing and is proof of Government's permanent concern over the standards of services offered.