Detailing the Communities Ministry’s plans to establish a new town and eight new villages as Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC), subject Minister Ronald Bulkan on Friday launched a new initiative ahead of the local government elections, to sensitise voters and potential candidates to their important roles.
Although the minister did not give much details as to where the new township and villages will be, he said Government is committed to giving its citizens their right to a democratic environment.
A section of the gathering at the launching of the local government elections sensitisation programme
“We are not only interested in deepening the system of local democracy, but we are also broadening and extending it to other parts of Guyana. Each part of our country must develop, hence in the local government elections that will take place later this year, towards the middle of November, it is anticipated (that people will see eight new Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and one new township, making it a total of 70 NDCs and 10 townships, or 80 of those local democratic organs,” the minister posited.
Meanwhile, his latest initiative, deemed a ‘Public Awareness and Stakeholders Education Campaign,’ was launched on the lawns of Parliament Buildings in Brickdam, Georgetown as the ministry exhausts all efforts to secure better participation of civilians in the local government elections.
During the launch, it was pointed out that similar events will be held in the various neighbourhoods participating in the elections, which will share the same focus.
Along with the minister, co-chair of the National Regional Democratic Consultative Committee, Genevieve Allen; Executive Director of the National Coordinating Coalition Civil Society, Simone Sills; Councillor of the Beterverwagting/Triumph NDC, Jimmual Bagot; and Project Team Member Vincent Alexander were among others in attendance at the event.
Bagot, youngest at the head table, was encouraged by the minister to continue striving as a leader. The teenager, who shared remarks, said his journey has not been an easy one; however, despite the challenges and negative energy he got from his fellow young people, he continued to strive in his journey of becoming an exceptional leader.
He took the opportunity to encourage youths to be part of the local government elections, not only as voters, but as candidates; which empowers them to make strategic decisions, such as how clean they want to see their communities, and other things.
