Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag today said all 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have received their subventions for 2024, while the 10 Municipalities have received their subventions in full or in part. 

She said the subventions are released according to approved work plans. Those work plans have to be approved by the Local Government Ministry.

 “Not all would have resubmitted, if they had a change of programme, not all would have submitted their change of programme. So, we were not able to give all to all of them. But all of them received in part,” Minister Parag explained. 

News Source was able to confirm that the Municipalities of New Amsterdam, Anna Regina and Rose Hall received their subventions in full to the tune $18M each. 

However, in the case of the Georgetown, the Mayor and City Council, has received only half of its $30M subvention.

But in the case of Linden, the Municipality is still awaiting its $18 Million.

The Mayor of Linden, Sharma Solomon said that the Council’s workplan was denied twice by the Local Government Ministry. Initially, the Council had proposed to purchase a generation system for its administrative building but when that was denied, it submitted another proposal to purchase a mini-excavator and road building materials, and that workplan was also denied.

Solomon said the Council intends to resubmit its last proposal with the hope of getting the approval of the Local Government Ministry. 

Minister Parag today said some Councils need to do more for their citizens.

“I do think that the City Council in Georgetown needs to do more for its residents. I don’t think that is something that hasn’t been said before. I don’t think that is something that is a secret. I think people cry out, and the number of complains that the ministry receives on a daily basis, sometimes in relation to garbage collection, sometimes in relation to drainage, sometimes in relation to so many things. Somebody yard flooding, we have to go and dig out the drain, we have to go and pick up somebody else’s garbage and it is lacking, it is lacking,” the Local Government Minister explained. 

Parag has been accused of interfering in the work of some of the Councils and issuing orders directly to administrative officials. She has denied the claims by saying her Ministry will get involved in areas that it sees fit.

She said the Government will continue to give support to local organs where necessary, and will strengthen Solid Waste Management throughout the country in 2025. 

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