-as budget measure takes effect
NEIGHBOURHOOD Democratic Council (NDC) and Regional Democratic Council (RDC) officials are expected to begin receiving their revised monthly stipends within days after the government completed the administrative processes needed to implement a measure announced in the 2026 National Budget.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, made the announcement on Thursday in a Facebook video message, stating the Ministry of Finance has finalised the required approvals, paving the way for the enhanced payments to be distributed.
The minister explained that while the increases were announced earlier this year during the presentation of the budget, implementation was delayed because of the time required to complete the necessary paperwork.
“These were announced. You heard about it, and it took a while to get some paperwork done. We had to get some paperwork from the Ministry of Finance, that took some time. We’ve finally gotten that and we’re about to give you this significant raise in stipends,” Manickchand said.
She noted that the revised payments should begin reaching beneficiaries within the next few days.
She added, “In a matter of days, you’ll see that coming into your various NDCs and into your various homes, and we’re very happy to be able to do that.”
The revised stipend structure will benefit officials serving on NDCs and RDCs across the country.
Under the new rates, NDC chairpersons will receive $50,000 per month, an increase from the previous $10,000. Vice-chairpersons will now receive $40,000 instead of $5,000, while councillors’ stipends will rise from $3,000 to $30,000 monthly.
Regional Democratic Council councillors will also benefit, with their monthly stipends increasing from $30,000 to $50,000.
According to the minister, approximately 70 NDC chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, along with more than 1,000 councillors, will benefit from the revised payments.
Manickchand said the government hopes the increased financial support will strengthen the work of local democratic organs and improve service delivery to residents.
“How does this benefit our neighbourhoods? With more, our councillors, chairpersons, vice-chairpersons will have more to give you, I hope,” she said.
She reminded local government representatives that the increase also comes with greater responsibility to the communities they serve.
The minister stated, “When much is given, much is expected.”
Expressing confidence in the role of local government bodies, Manickchand said the enhanced stipends form part of the government’s wider effort to ensure neighbourhood democratic councils and regional democratic councils are better equipped to fulfil their responsibilities.
“I believe that we can work together to make our local bodies function better, and this is our part of trying to make sure we can do our part as a state to help these bodies to function better,” she said.
The minister said the government remains committed to supporting local government institutions, which play a key role in community development, neighbourhood management, and the delivery of essential municipal and public services.
With those processes now completed, Manickchand said the revised stipends will soon begin reaching eligible officials, describing the increases as an important investment in strengthening local governance and enhancing the effectiveness of elected representatives across Guyana.
Alongside the stipend adjustments, the central government has also significantly increased annual subvention grants to strengthen local governance and improve community service delivery. Annual subventions for NDCs have increased from $5 million to $30 million each, while municipalities will now receive $50 million annually, up from $18 million.
