Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, yesterday engaged the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) along the East Coast of Demerara in an in-depth meeting focused on improving the quality of local governance and advancing community development.

According to the Ministry, this session brought together Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, Overseers, Councillors and other key personnel from the various NDCs to discuss the pressing issues facing their communities. The Minister is emphasizing the importance of stronger administrative systems, enhanced accountability, and more responsive service delivery, noting that the performance of local democratic organs directly affects the daily lives of residents.

In a significant moment during the meeting, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo made an impromptu visit, joining the discussions and engaging directly with NDC officials and residents. His unexpected arrival energized the room and underscored the Government’s high-level commitment to strengthening local governance across the country.

“During the engagement, discussions were centered on improving infrastructure and community facilities, strengthening drainage and irrigation systems to reduce flooding, and ensuring that waste management practices are efficient and environmentally responsible. Emphasis is also being placed on improving financial management and budget planning within the NDCs, particularly in areas such as revenue collection, record-keeping and transparent spending. The Vice President who is also the PPP’s General Secretary reiterated his personal and party’s commitment to fulfilling all the promises made before and during the election in the manifesto. The Minister is also underscoring the need for closer collaboration with residents to ensure that community concerns are addressed promptly and that development initiatives are aligned with local needs.”

Minister Manickchand reaffirmed Government’s commitment to empowering local democratic organs and providing them with the support needed to carry out their mandates effectively. She highlighted that strong, people-centered local governance is essential to national growth and that the Ministry will continue to work closely with NDCs to improve service delivery and accelerate development.