MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker, has indicated that the ministry will be closely monitoring Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) as they embark on their projects and work plans for 2013, so as to ensure timely implementation and acceptable quality of the works they undertake.

This was disclosed by the minister at a media briefing last Monday at the ministry’s boardroom, where he noted that the legislation requires that the NDC budget be presented by November 15.
Whittaker reported that 64 NDCs have each submitted their budget, but the Kwakwani Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) NDC has not yet so done.
He noted that the ministry is working with the Kwakwani NDC to have its issues resolved, and highlighted that the 64 NDCs have presented a budget which has a combined cost of $852.5M. He said he is encouraged that a significant amount of this budget is aimed at providing services to the people, and that is how it should be.
He pointed out that for drainage and irrigation projects, the NDCs are requesting $109.9M; for roads, dams and bridges, the figure requested is $123.5M; and for capital expenditure, $208M is being requested. He asserted that these resources are the NDC’s resources, garnered mainly from rates and taxes, market fees, and other sources.
Additionally, the subvention budget has been approved at the level of the ministry, and has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for final approval, following which the funds will be made available to the NDCs in two tranches.
The minister said he has been emphasising to the NDCs and chairpersons and staff during the recent outreaches the need to ensure timely implementation of projects. He reiterated that, at the ministry level, monitoring will be highly intensified to assure the Guyanese people of timely implementation and quality works being done in all instances.
He disclosed his satisfaction in terms of steps having been taken thus far to commence works in the areas identified by the NDC.