Govt moves to digitise NDC records, fix record-keeping gaps

– digitisation efforts to support single window system – Manickchand

The Government is working to digitise records at Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across Guyana while addressing the failure of these local democratic organs to submit their annual financial statements for audit.
This is according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, during an appearance on The Guyana Dialogue Programme on Thursday, as she highlighted a number of pressing issues that need to be addressed at these local Government bodies across the country. One such issue she pointed out is the failure of NDCs to produce their annual financial statements – something that the Auditor General continues to flag in its yearly reports. “So, we need to correct that,” Manickchand declared.

Currently, each of the 70 NDCs across the country receives an annual subvention of $30 million from the Central Government to support the execution of its duties.
NDC chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and councillors have also seen an increase in their monthly stipends. Chairpersons are now entitled to $50,000 per month, while vice-chairpersons receive $40,000 and councillors $30,000. The councils also receive revenue through the collection of rates and taxes.
According to Manickchand, efforts will be made to address the delays in submitting these financial records for auditing. She noted those discussions were held as recently as Thursday. “I was examining who might be a good person to go NDC to NDC and help me correct that,” the Minister stated.
However, in order to position these local Government bodies to maintain proper record-keeping, the Government is working to ensure that the NDCs enter the technology age through the digitisation of records. In the same breath, however, Manickchand posited that this exercise needs to be done with caution.
“The digitisation of records has to be carefully done…because, you know, some of these records are very old. They’re in cabinets or on shelves [and so] that has to be done in a special way after people are trained for it. So, that’s something I can see happening,” she stated. She further added that efforts have been made to ensure each NDC is equipped with computer systems while explaining that this would not only facilitate the digitisation efforts but also support the implementation of a Single Window System similar to the one being used by the Housing Ministry. With this Single Window System, residents would now have a one-stop shop rather than having to apply to several different agencies to get approval.
“So, the single window is intended to make it almost a one-stop shop [and] easier for residents to make that application lawfully and get responses lawfully. So, with…the introduction of not only the computer but technology in the NDCs, I think we’re moving closer to a place where we can say we’ll have a national digitisation of records,” she noted. Additionally, Manickchand said investments are also being made to ensure all NDC buildings across the country are either rebuilt or rehabilitated, and that they are properly resourced to serve communities. Already, all the NDCs have received garbage compactor trucks, tractors, and trailers to pick up parapet waste, as well as ambulance vehicles and fire engines, among other equipment. In fact, tarmacs and sheds are also being built to properly store and maintain this equipment. Moreover, she disclosed that only on Thursday during the Cabinet Meeting, approval was given for the rebuilding of five NDC offices this year. Last year, 19 NDCs were rehabilitated across the country. “We have 70 NDCs in the country and before the end of these five years, all of them will be in comfortable spaces… So, NDCs are getting special attention,” the Local Government Minister emphasised. Only earlier this year, the Government increased the stipends to more NDC members, and Minister Manickchand had previously noted that these pay hikes bring certain expectations, including better performance and service to communities. In fact, during a previous appearance on The Guyana Dialogue programme back in June, Manickchand had noted that her Ministry was in the process of developing protocols to be followed by NDCs in resolving common complaints raised by residents. She had explained that oftentimes, some issues go unresolved because NDC officials are not aware of the steps they can take to address them.