Some NDCs failed to utilise the $30M allocation – Manickchand

…says communities are losing vital services

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand on Wednesday expressed disappointment with the spending performance of several Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), noting that despite receiving $30 million last year, the first such allocation since their formation, many were unable to utilise the funds amid persistent issues with disbursement.
She noted that when the money remains unused, residents are deprived of services that the Government, the Ministry, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic intend for them to receive.
Manickchand said her intention was to meet all 70 neighbourhood democratic councils by the end of December, but this was not achieved as several officials were unavailable during the Christmas period. She expressed confidence, however, that engagements with all councils would be completed shortly.
The Minister noted that while she has been a familiar public figure for more than two decades, it was important to redefine the working relationship going forward and to hear directly from councillors. She explained that she deliberately chose not to meet only with chairs and vice-chairs, citing concerns raised by councillors who felt excluded from decision-making.
“Since you have been formed, last year was the first year you got 30 million dollars to spend. And I can see that we used to talk when we were small about disaccustomcy. I don’t know if you all know that word up here. Disaccustomcy was heavy, so much so that many of you couldn’t spend it, if you haven’t spent your money. That, for me, is grossly disappointing.”
She acknowledged that internal disagreements or uncertainty over programme implementation may have contributed to the failure to utilise the funds but stressed that such issues must be addressed. Manickchand made it clear that the money cannot remain unspent and that corrective action would be taken to resolve the challenges faced by the councils.
“Because the money, if spent, means your community is getting service. If you don’t spend it, it means services your community could have gotten – that President Ali, the Ministry, me, and the party want your community to have – they didn’t get. They didn’t get it. Because I know you’re all fighting amongst one another, or you don’t know how to put on this programme. I’m not sure what it is. Whatever it is, we’ll trash that out today. But you can’t send that money.”

NDC workers’ stipend
Meanwhile, she acknowledged that the stipends paid to NDC members were “ridiculously low” and said this would be addressed but emphasised that even with an increase, service to communities must remain the primary motivation.
“If you’re going to take responsibility to serve, you have to serve, and I can tell you now, you’re pretty much doing voluntary work. Because your stipends are ridiculously low. That will change, but even when it changes, it’s going to be voluntary work. But this is service – it’s almost voluntary service. And the kind of work I would expect from you – anything we pay you will be less than you deserve if you work the way I want you to work. It doesn’t matter what we pay you; it will be less than you deserve. Because I want you to work every day, all day, for the people of your communities,” she said, highlighting that the stipend was one of the most common complaints received.
Manickchand said the meetings were intended to engage all members so that they could both voice their concerns and gain a clear understanding of the Government’s direction for local governance. She added that while local Government in Guyana is not new, the approach to how local democratic organs are expected to function is evolving, with a shift away from abstract or academic discussions toward practical, service-orientated governance.
She emphasised that neighbourhood and regional officials must remain accessible and responsive to residents in order to effectively meet the needs of their communities. She said the decentralised system of governance was designed to allow local democratic organs to craft their own budgets, manage their finances, and implement initiatives that best serve their regions, noting that local officials are often better positioned to understand community needs than central authorities in Georgetown.
The Minister stressed that councillors were elected by residents based on trust and service, not political affiliation or party loyalty. She noted that community members chose representatives whom they believed would look out for their welfare and respond in times of need.
She further underscored that once elected, councillors are not aligned to any political party within the framework of local Government. She explained that all neighbourhood democratic councils operate under the laws of Guyana and maintain a reporting relationship with the Ministry of Local Government and the central Government of the day, led by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.