Local Government Minister Hazel Manning is holding out hopes that elections to regional corporations, borough and city councils could still be held this year.

She did so at yesterday’ signing ceremony between the government and the National Union of Government and Federated Workers Union for the establishment of a permanent daily paid cadre.

She told the gathering at the Hyatt Regency Hotel that if issues pertaining to the boundaries of the local system the delayed polls may still come off in 2008.

Addressing his party’s recent annual convention Prime Minster Patrick Manning, alluded to another postponement of the polls on the grounds of continuing discussions of the reform of the local government system.

Already twice postponed the fact that it could be again put of this year drew widespread criticisms.

At the same function Mrs. Manning, wife of the Prime Minister, announced that an investigation into alleged corruption in the award of contracts under the Infrastructure Renewal and Development Programme, will be held.

This promise was given to the NUGFW’s President James Lambert who complained that several of these contracts were awarded to persons employed with the ministry of local government.