Focus on concerns, needs of communities – Jagdeo tells NDCs during ECD engagement

…hints at further increase in subventions next year

Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday instructed officials at the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to ensure that they implement projects that address the needs of their respective communities and their residents.

He gave this direction 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 focused on improving the quality of local governance and advancing community development.
Recalling a previous engagement he had with ECD residents, Jagdeo noted that they had raised concerns relating to drainage, garbage disposal, security, and various disturbances within the communities.
According to the VP, these are the issues that the NDCs must focus on tackling and not invest in projects that would not bring any relief to residents.
“Sometimes the priorities are to build a bus shed, which people hardly use. At the NDCs, they want to take $30 million to build a bus shed. The bus shed is not the priority at this stage. We can get that built from somewhere else. The concerns of the people – we should focus on their concerns first of all, and often it’s [things like] drainage in these communities,” Jagdeo stated.
He went on to note that the NDCs now have the financial resources to adequately meet the needs of communities, following the sweeping increase in subventions for municipalities and NDCs earlier this year.
Back in April, the VP had announced an increase in the annual subventions to NDCs from $5 million to $30 million and $18 million to $50 million for municipalities across the country.
On Thursday, Jagdeo hinted that these sums could go up even further come next year.
“So, you have more money now, and in the next budget [2026], we’ll keep it at that level or maybe increase it,” he revealed.

Community focus
The VP also used to opportunity to caution NDC officials that the equipment they purchase with these monies must be used for community businesses, as he cited complaints received regarding equipment not doing the work they were intended for.
He also instructed that the NDC buildings be kept up to look professional, describing the state of some of these office buildings as “slums”. In addition, VP Jagdeo ordered that the NDCs as well as the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) officials, especially in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) controls for the first time in history, get out and be active in the fields.
“I expect you and the team, all of our councillors, to be in the field. People must know you from up the [Soesdyke-Linden] Highway all the way to Cane Grove. They must know who you are,” Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the PPP, stated.
The VP pointed out that in the past, residents in the region go multiple years without even meeting the regional chairman once or even knowing who the individual is – something which he contends must not happen under the PPP’s rule.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Priya Manickchand during Thursday’s engagement session that brought together Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, Overseers, Councillors and other key personnel from the various ECD NDCs to discuss the pressing issues facing their communities.
The Minister underscored the need for closer collaboration with residents to ensure that community concerns are addressed promptly and that development initiatives are aligned with local needs.

Manickchand further stressed 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.
During the engagement, discussions were centred 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 was also placed on improving financial management and budget planning within the NDCs, particularly in areas such as revenue collection, record-keeping and transparent spending.
In this regard, 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-centred 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.
Thursday’s engagement forms part of a wider series of meetings being conducted countrywide, aimed at assessing the performance of local bodies, identifying challenges on the ground, and mapping out strategic priorities for 2026 and beyond.
According to the Ministry, it remains committed to ensuring that every community benefits from efficient, proactive and accountable local governance.