On Thursday, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo instructed officials at various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to prioritize projects that directly address the needs of their communities. This directive came during an engagement hosted by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development with NDCs along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
The in-depth meeting aimed to enhance local governance quality and promote community development. Jagdeo recalled a previous interaction with ECD residents, where they voiced concerns about issues such as drainage, garbage disposal, security, and disturbances within their neighborhoods.
“The NDCs must focus on tackling these issues rather than investing in projects that won’t provide any relief,” said Jagdeo. He highlighted the tendency to allocate substantial funds for projects like bus sheds, which may not be essential, stating, “Sometimes the priorities are to build a bus shed, which people hardly use. The bus shed is not the priority at this stage.”
Earlier this year, significant increases in financial resources for municipalities and NDCs were announced, with annual subventions rising from $5 million to $30 million for NDCs and from $18 million to $50 million for municipalities. Jagdeo suggested that these sums might increase further in the 2026 budget.
“You have more money now, and in the next budget, we’ll keep it at that level or maybe increase it,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of utilizing these funds effectively.
He cautioned NDC officials that equipment purchased with these funds should be used for community projects, addressing complaints about equipment not fulfilling its intended purpose. Additionally, he called for improved professionalism in the appearance of NDC buildings, describing some office conditions as “slums.”
Jagdeo also urged NDCs and Regional Democratic Council (RDC) officials, especially in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica)—where the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has gained control for the first time—to be more active in their communities and engage with residents directly.
