Local Government Ministry begins training for overseers, assistants
THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, on Monday, conducted the first in a series of training workshops for overseers and assistant overseers of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). The theme for the course is ‘Strengthening Local Government through Human Resource Development’ and the participants were drawn from Regions 1 (Barima/Waini), 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) and 4 (Demerara/Mahaica).
Topics to be dealt with include the roles and functions of Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) overseers and assistant overseers, financial management, record keeping, data management, effective reporting, community involvement, accountability resource management and monitoring and evaluation.
In his address at the opening, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Collin Croal said the ministry is very concerned about the manner in which finance and resources are being managed at some NDCs across the country.
He said, at no time, should an NDC office be closed without the day’s earnings having been deposited into the respective banks. To do otherwise is a breach of the regulations as set out by the Local Government Act and a requirement of the Office of the Auditor General.
No slacking
Croal warned that the Auditor General has indicated that there will be no slacking in relation to the monitoring of the accounts of these agencies.
He reminded the officers that their records need to be updated daily and pointed to findings, by the ministry, of the failure of some NDCs to update their record keeping and the requesting for lengthy additional time to have those documentations in order.
“This is not acceptable,” Croal stated.
He said the ministry hopes to have a better relationship with the NDCs countrywide and explained that the constant calls and checks on certain aspects of the operations of the NDCs is to ensure the smooth running of those offices, thus requesting additional information and clarification in some cases is to make sure the ministry is better informed.
Also addressing the participants on Monday, the subject Minister, Mr. Ganga Persaud said, while several overseers are knowledgeable of the operations of the NDCs, this initiative aims to better equip them with added knowledge and experience while serving as a training and informative exercise for those who were lately appointed to the posts.
He mentioned that the undertaking also fulfils statements he made in the National Assembly, earlier this year; where he pointed to his ministry’s plan to enhance its human resource capacity.
Minister Persaud said the workshops will also mean the rolling out of the external training programme of the ministry.
According to him, his ministry will be working towards efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of services that make residents comfortable with the quality of work put out by the respective NDCs.
Persaud cautioned that reported cases of corruption and malpractices will be investigated by his ministry and he noted that fingers would continue to be pointed in their direction in instances where they fail to take the appropriate actions.
He urged them to engage in activities that will renew villagers’ interest in their NDCs and see the local authorities being looked at with admiration and positive thoughts.
Personal development
The course, while expected to enhance the performance of the overseers and, by extension, their NDCs, the wider objective is towards the continued personal development of those working within the system.
It is anticipated that the overseers will foster positive changes in their respective areas and impart their knowledge to those under their command.
Minister within the Ministry, Mr. Norman Whittaker addressed the forum, too, pointing out that it is part of the larger picture and reality that things were changing globally and Guyana and, moreso the NDC officials had to be up to date with the wind of change that never stops blowing.
He said, should the more than dozen overseers and assistant overseers return to their respective regions and NDCs and continue to do business as usual, then it will be a far cry from the entire objective.
Whittaker said such conduct will mean that resources would have been wasted and the investment to facilitate the training considered bad.
“It is your responsibility to manage the resources of the NDCS and do so effectively,” the minister reiterated.
Whittaker charged the participants to operate and manage their NDCs in a manner that will be of benefit to the residents despite their political and other affiliations.
He expressed confidence that the training would be of benefit to the respective councils and will see  more effective and responsible managing at NDC offices.
The other training sessions to begin soon, will, like the Monday one, be facilitated by personnel in the Local Government Ministry. Those who participated Monday were each awarded with certificates for their participation.