Whittaker calls on NDCs to improve revenue collection
MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker has reported that the five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) have collected only $8.3M of the projected $33M in rates and taxes for 2011. Speaking after the swearing in of 28 public servants as councillors of the five NDCs, he said the focus should be on the collection of rates and taxes and he urged the new councillors to view that as important.
Whittaker said the collection of rates and taxes, during last year, by the NDCs was bad and each NDC has large sums outstanding as arrears.
He called on overseers and Chairmen of the five NDCs to improve the revenue collection so that the NDCs can do more development work within their respective areas.
The Minister also told the NDC officials to have consultations with residents within their areas of operation before projects are undertaken with the annual Government $3M subvention.