“Serve your communities, not your status” – Manickchand tells Region 6 NDCs

…reminds them they are the Govt of a localised area

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand on Friday delivered a firm message to representatives of the 19 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), reminding them that they are not ceremonial officeholders but the Government at the grassroots level. Addressing the councillors during a meeting at State House in New Amsterdam, the Minister told them plainly, “You are really the Government of your localised area.”
Expanding on that point, the Minister stressed that local Government is rooted in service, not status or political allegiance. Regardless of party affiliation or how they were elected, she reminded councillors that their mandate comes directly from the people. “Servant is servant,” she said, underscoring that there is no hierarchy in public service, whether at the level of president or village councillor. Each, she noted, carries the same responsibility to act with humility, accessibility, and accountability in serving citizens.
Manickchand explained that Neighbourhood Democratic Councils were created by law as part of a deliberate national effort to decentralise governance and bring essential services closer to communities. Rather than forcing citizens to travel to Georgetown or depend solely on central authorities for everyday needs, the system was designed to place decision-making and representation within villages themselves.

Decentralise service
“We said we wanted to decentralise service as a country,” she reminded the councillors, adding that the intention was to take governance out of the central place and put it into communities. In that structure, she noted, NDCs are the frontline of Government, responsible for addressing local concerns in a direct and timely manner.
Turning her attention to conduct, the Minister cautioned councillors against allowing internal disputes, absenteeism, and personal grievances to undermine their effectiveness. She acknowledged that complaints had reached the Ministry about infighting, poor attendance at meetings, and a lack of cooperation within some councils, warning that such behaviour defeats the very purpose of local governance. Councillors, she stressed, must be accessible and responsive to residents at all times. “When people tell you something is wrong, you have to listen,” she said, emphasising that listening, responding, and making oneself available are fundamental duties of anyone entrusted with public office.

Not reactive
The Minister was particularly emphatic that councillors must have a clear grasp of what is happening within their communities at all times. From social challenges to urgent welfare needs, she said, Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) representatives are expected to be aware and proactive rather than reactive. Expressing concern about instances where serious issues surfaced publicly before local authorities appeared informed, she warned that ignorance cannot be an excuse.
“If you didn’t know, you aren’t doing your job,” she told the NDC officials, making it clear that councillors are expected to know when residents are facing hardship and to seek assistance from the relevant agencies where necessary.
She further underscored that the effectiveness of an NDC cannot rest on the efforts of only a few members but must reflect a unified and collective commitment to service. Councils, she noted, cannot afford situations where a small number of councillors carry the workload while others remain inactive or disruptive. Local governance, she reminded them, is a shared responsibility in which every elected member must contribute meaningfully. The success or failure of a council, she indicated, is measured collectively, and communities ultimately suffer when even a handful of representatives fail to perform their duties.

Substantial money
Addressing financial management, Manickchand pointed to the significant increase in allocations to NDCs, noting that councils that previously operated with limited budgets are now receiving substantially larger sums.
“You used to get [a] million. You are now getting $30 million,” she reminded them.
The Minister expressed disappointment that some councils had failed to fully utilise their allocations last year.
Unspent funds, she warned, translate into missed opportunities for residents who depend on improved drainage, roadworks, sanitation, and other community services.
“If you don’t spend it, service people could have had… they didn’t get,” she said.
The Minister added that councils will be required to submit clear spending plans and ensure that allocations result in visible improvements within their villages.
Looking ahead, the Minister announced that comprehensive training will be rolled out for all Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to ensure councillors fully understand their statutory responsibilities and financial obligations. She emphasised that moving forward, councils must adopt structured planning, including clearly defined priorities over six-month periods, so that development is deliberate and measurable rather than ad hoc. Greater coordination with the Ministry, she added, will also be encouraged to ensure challenges are addressed swiftly and effectively.
Reiterating, Manickchand told the councillors that local Government is not about titles or recognition but about visible, responsive service. As the direct representatives of the State within their communities, she urged them to reset, refocus, and recommit to excellence. The people, she reminded them, are depending on them, and as the Government in their localised areas, they must ensure that service is felt.