EARLIER this month, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) commenced its third Annual Staff Retreat, which is a two-day activity aimed at providing a forum for ministry’s staff to present for examination and discussion the achievements and challenges they encountered while executing their work programmes in 2014.

According to a statement from the ministry, the occasion was also used to discuss measures that have been put in place to counteract those challenges and prevent their recurrence in 2015.
The retreat was held under the theme ‘Moving Forward in 2015 with Renewed Purpose’, and Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker promised that mechanisms to enhance all aspects of accountability and transparency would be strengthened during this retreat.

The Minister’s address focused on “… the essential function of the Ministry, which is to support the socio-economic development and infrastructure improvement in communities across Guyana.”
He stated, “As we provide services to aid in such development, we must be mindful of the fact that these improvements come out of Government’s development plans which are reflected in the numerous programmes, such as the Government’s Poverty Reduction Plan; the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS); and the Annual Budget, which is presented in Parliament.”
Indeed, and these projects and programmes are the legacy of Father of the Nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who had crafted strategies for the way forward on the path to peace, progress and prosperity for this beleaguered nation.
The unfolding saga of Guyana’s developmental successes are outlined in successive PPP/C manifestos and are the concretisation of Dr. Jagan’s visions for the people and the country. He succumbed to his mortality, but he left a structure that will ensure that his dreams do not die, but will rather embrace changes and challenges through the engine of empowerment he created – the PPP/C.
Whittaker stressed the imperative of collaboration between Central Government and “… the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), Community Development Councils (CDCs), and sector ministries to pursue common goals with a view to realising these goals that are outlined in the programmes.”
His expressed hope that “the retreat will provide an opportunity for us to want to improve the way we do things; to embrace change… ” because “… improvements are necessary, no matter what we do; there will always be room for improvements.”
Certainly, and the increasing improvements in every sector is evident; with projections for acceleration in development and continued and increased economic growth in a future bright with promise for Guyana and Guyanese.

(By Parvati Persaud-Edwards)