THE five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) on the Essequibo Coast want an increase in their annual subvention from central government. Speaking on their behalf, Chairman of the Regional Committee for Hinterland, Coops and Local Government, Mr. Pooran Persaud told the statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Tuesday, that officers from the five local authorities have reported that the current $3M each is inadequate to fund developmental works, such as road construction or  excavation of drains on a large scale.
He pointed out that NDCs have large areas to manage and are finding it difficult to maintain streets and waterways because of poor rates and taxes collection.
Persaud said streets in many NDCs are mainly constructed by Government through the Regional Capital Works Programme and are maintained by the regional administration. (Rajendra Prabhulall)