IN 2014, the six municipalities across Guyana made significant strides in providing services to citizens despite limited human and financial resources.According to a recent press release, the ministry, in reviewing the performance of the municipalities in the collection of rates and taxes in 2014, overall, there was improvement in revenue collection but this was not significant. This continues to be a worry for the ministry, since within each municipality there are millions of dollars outstanding.

Further, in 2014, the ministry implemented the Fiscal Transfer Act for the first time to determine the allocation of subventions to municipalities. The Fiscal Transfer Act takes into consideration land mass, population size and percentage of budgeted revenue which the council collected during the previous year. This method also makes allocations based on the performance levels of municipalities. In 2013, a total of $65M was allocated to the municipalities while in 2014, a total of $77M was allocated from which the Fiscal Transfer Method was applied.

2013                              2014
Subvention              Subvention
Anna Regina, Region No. 2           $ 9,000,000                 $ 11,476,744.
Georgetown, Region No. 4            $ 20,000,000               $ 22,000,000
Rose Hall, Region No. 5                $ 8,000,000                 $ 9,526,163.
New Amsterdam, Region 6             $10,000,000               $ 10,668,604.
Corriverton, Region 6                      $8,000,000                 $ 11,476,744.
Linden, Region No. 10                        $10,000,000               $ 11,851,744.

Among the six municipalities, a total of $13,157,223 was utilised on road rehabilitation projects while a total of $25,566,648 was utilised on drainage improvement projects.

CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED
The ministry experienced the most difficulties with the Georgetown municipality, since the council did not submit its 2014 work programme in a timely manner. In Berbice, the ministry also experienced major challenges with the Corriverton and Rose Hall municipalities, since the contractors who were awarded contracts (such as roads and drainage) under the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) failed to deliver their services; as a result, the councils were only able to spend 80%of their subvention in November.

ROADSIDE VENDING
Roadside vending remains a challenge. Municipalities spent significant time trying to remove roadside and illegal vendors, but vendors continue to refuse to utilise the markets. Due to illegal vending, municipalities suffered from loss of income; market vendors refused to pay their fees since the person vending illegally are the ones to benefit the most. On the other hand, roadside and illegal vending also has an adverse impact on the environment since the vendors dump refuse indiscriminately around the parameters of the markets and this is an additional expenditure for municipalities.

IMPROVEMENT TO MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE
Several municipal markets saw upgrades through a project implemented by the ministry with funding from the India Brazil South Africa Cooperation (IBSA). Anna Regina benefited from the construction of a fence, installation of security lights, drains and raising of the market floor. At New Amsterdam, works are currently in progress at the back for the construction of enclosed, additional market space. Rose Hall market benefited from construction of a fish shed, water reservoir and installation of security cameras. Linden saw repairs to the constabulary office, washroom, and stall area and chain link fence. Very shortly, re tendering will be done for works to be done on the Corriverton Market.
In addition, under the Georgetown aspect of the Clean-Up My Country Programme, the Le Penitence market drains were de-silted; electrical lights were installed around the market; the sanitary block was rehabilitated, and a footpath along Saffon Street, a tarmac and fence along Saffon Street and Independence Boulevard were constructed. For the Bourda Market, 14 street lights were installed along Robb Street, Alexander Street, North Road, Regent Street and Orange Walk; internal drains were de-silted along with the Orange Walk and North Road canal. For the Stabroek Market, 12 street lights were installed which are not only benefiting the vendors, but also hire car operators and minibus operators.

SOLID WASTE
In 2014, the ministry embarked on the establishment of Sanitary Landfill Sites within each administrative region except for Georgetown, which waste is disposed of at the Haggs Bosch Landfill Site. The site was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as part of the ministry’s Regional Solid Waste Management Programme. As a result of this initiative, municipalities in the regions were no longer responsible for the collection of residential and commercial waste; however, they are responsible for the collection of market waste and open/public places.
To further address the issue of illegal dumping, the ministry, under the Clean-Up My Country Programme, embarked on a Bulk Waste and Community Clean-Up Programme which saw several hundred tons of waste removed from communities within the municipalities. For the enhancement of human resources, the Georgetown Municipality Solid Waste Director benefited from the participation at a Solid Waste Management workshop in Jamaica.

ILLEGAL BUILDING STRUCTURES
Complaints of Illegal construction and expansion of buildings were numerous, particularly in Georgetown. These illegal constructions posed major challenges during the Georgetown aspect of the Community Clean-up Programme. It was noticed that in every community, persons constructed bridges in such a way that drains were blocked or re-directed and this is also a contributor to flooding in the city.

MOVING FORWARD IN 2015

Based on the challenges and threats that were encountered in 2014, the Municipal Services Division in 2015 is working to increasing performance level of the municipalities in the following areas:

Increase in the collection of revenue
More stringent measures will be implemented to ensure municipalities increase their revenue collection. Some of these measures include establishment of a Debt Recovery Unit, taking defaulters to Court and the continuation of payment plans.

IMPROVING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Municipal Councils will be encouraged to work closely with the Solid Waste Contractors and have joint robust Public Awareness Programmes to educate the public about the proper disposal of waste and the impact of illegal dumping. In addition, measures will be put in place to ensure that contractors maintain a rigid schedule of collection.
Further, the Solid Waste Management Bill which has to be tabled before the the National Assembly and passed will be a boost to Local Authorities. This Bill will strengthen the power of the local authority to exercise more stringent measures in dealing with persons who are caught littering. Coupled with those measures, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will assist the municipalities with Litter Wardens within their jurisdictions.

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGHTENING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING OF MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
The Municipal Services Division will continue to build the capacity of Municipal Officers and Councillors to ensure that they execute their duties in a more efficient and effective manner. Training programmes will be developed based on weaknesses identified in 2014. Some areas of focus will be Fiscal Transfer, Communication, the role Councillors and administrations and meetings.

TIMELY IMPLEMENTATION OF BUDGET 2015 AND SUBVENTION WORK PROGRAMME 2015
The Municipal Services Division will continue to review the monthly financial reports of the municipalities to ensure they spend within their approved Estimates. Intensify visits to Municipal Councils to inspect financial records.
MUNICIPALITIES TO HOLD QUARTERLY BUDGET REVIEW
For the better management of subventions, the ministry is working towards implementing of a District Tender Board. In addition, the ministry is also working towards projects being monitored on a quarterly basis.
REDUCING ROADSIDE VENDING
With the improvement to existing market structures, Councils will be implementing measures which will allow vendors to utilize the market structures. Measures that will be put in place are Council will re-engage vendors; final notice will be served for removal. Failing to remove, Council will then seek assistance from the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Public Works in cases where the Town Constabulary lacks the capacity to remove street vendors.
ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS AND EXTENSIONS AND EXTEMSIONS OF BUILDINGS AND RECLASSIFYING OF BUILDINGS
To strengthen this area, MLGRD will seek assistance from Ministry of Health to have Environmental Health Officers in place at the five Town Councils. This will assist these Municipalities greatly due to the rise in the building sector .

GREATER COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT IN DEVELOPMENT WORKS Councillors will be encouraged to meet with citizens more frequently so as to keep them abreast with the Council’s plans.
Greater Collaboration with the private sector which by extension can increase development within the townships.
The implementation of Market Maintenance Plans which will improve the services at the facilities for both stallholders and shoppers.
Drafting of new By-Laws to assist in the effective functioning of the Council.