-Dr. Singh to have responsibility for the Public Service

SONIA Parag was on Tuesday night named the new Minister of Local Government and Regional Development by President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

The Head of State during a live broadcast revealed that the portfolio of public service minister which Parag previously held will now be the responsibility of the Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, under the Office of the President.

Minister Parag was appointed Minister of the Public Service in August 2020. She now joins Minister Anand Persaud who has been serving as the Senior Minister of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development following the resignation of Nigel Dharamlall.

President Ali during his statement disclosed that Parag’s transition will take place during the course of the week, followed by several initiatives to improve the country’s regional governance.

“We have a very robust community-oriented programme at the Ministry of Local Government; an accelerated programme, a number of targeted initiatives at the level of the [Neighbourhood Democratic Councils] NDCs, at the regions, at the municipalities.

“We are looking to empower the local governance structure more and more,” President Ali added.

Guyanese, according to President Ali, can look forward to additional announcements in relation to regional development.

“We have entered this year working on some major initiatives, the first week of this year. We look forward to working with every Guyanese to build a stronger Guyana,” he added.