MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, M.P., on December 21, 2012 officially declared the newly constructed Buxton/ Foulis NDC Office opened while congratulating the NDC and residents for their initiative which resulted in the construction of the office at a cost of $9M. Minister Whittaker emphasised that there is still an important role for Local Government Organs in community development provided the local leaders and the residents are prepared to put aside partisan politics and work along with Government to bring improvements to the lives of the people they serve.
The Minister reminded that while the subvention granted annually to NDCs and Municipalities by Government is a relatively small amount of $260M; cognisance must be taken of the billions of dollars of goods and services provided by Government at the level of the sector Ministries and the Regional Democratic Councils which benefit the Guyanese people.
Most of the investment to realise this project came from the NDC rates/taxes paid by residents with some Ministry of Local Government financial support. The new building would accommodate, not only NDC staff but provides a comfortable waiting area for the public. The minister challenged the residents to work with the Council to take care of the building; to make optimum use of it for ICT and skills training and to execute other similar community projects.
NDC Chairman Randolph Blair was the recipient of much praise by residents for his pro-activeness, initiative and leadership.