Georgetown, Guyana – In a bid to fortify local governance, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, delivered a firm message to Neighbourhood Democratic Councillors (NDCs) at the launch of the Overseers and NDC Training Programme on Friday, July 26, 2024. The event, hosted at the Liliendaal Convention Center, Greater Georgetown, underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing local governance through targeted training.
“You work for the people and communities that elected you. You must have good governance, transparency, and accountability. You must be grounded and guided by the law,” Minister Parag declared, setting the tone for the programme, which saw the attendance of 95 percent of councillors and overseers from Region Four (Demerara Mahaica).
The training, meticulously organised by the Ministry, covered a broad range of topics including legal affairs, financial management, community involvement, and record management. Minister Parag highlighted that the initiative had been years in the making, emphasising the tailored presentations aimed at equipping local government bodies with essential knowledge and tools for effective community management.
“This isn’t just a training that was born within a week. This is an experience that has been years coming together,” she remarked, reflecting on the programme’s extensive development.
Minister Parag also pointed out that the training fulfils a commitment made in the PPP/C Government’s manifesto, demonstrating the administration’s dedication to the Guyanese people. “His Excellency, and the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic, envisioned something like this when the manifesto was being crafted. I thought to myself when I became the Minister of Local Government, that we should try as best as possible to honour and deliver on what we promised in the manifesto,” she added.
The Minister stressed the crucial role of local leaders in national development and strengthening democracy within their communities. She emphasised the importance of engagement with citizens to foster higher levels of democracy and community participation. “One of the most important things you have is to strengthen democracy through the local governance structure. Strengthening democracy and the rule of law comes from engagement with the citizens of your community,” Minister Parag highlighted.
She urged overseers and councillors to serve the people diligently, despite the challenges of what can often seem like a thankless job. “You cannot gain or maintain the confidence of the residents if you do not appear. The foremost thing should always be the people in your community. The foremost thing should never be self-interest. Engagement with communities and residents is very important. Come out of your offices, make visits to the community, and engage with the community. Your job is not a 9 to 5 because you are dealing with people and real issues,” she noted.
Minister Parag reiterated the importance of addressing the daily concerns of residents, ensuring equality, and enhancing the quality of life in their communities. “The residents of your community will come to you and look to you for assistance with things that obstruct and interrupt their daily lives. Your engagement with them and your representation in trying to solve or alleviate those issues is what helps you keep the people satisfied, happy, and ensures equality in your community,” she emphasized.
The training programme is expected to be replicated across all regions of Guyana, providing a comprehensive framework for local governance improvement.
Participants expressed their gratitude for the training, recognizing its critical timing in the country’s development. Vanessa Benn, Vice Chairman of the Industry/Plaisance NDC and a first-time councillor, highlighted the networking opportunities provided by the programme. “At the level of the NDC, it is a way and means for us to represent the citizens of our respective communities so that the services that are needed to be provided at a local level, are overseen and provided as necessary,” she noted.
Shantie Brumell-Bunbury of the Diamond/Grove NDC, also a first-time councillor, emphasised the importance of the training in understanding her roles and responsibilities. “It is very critical and crucial that the new councillors have such training because I’ve been one year as a councillor, and there are so many things that we don’t know. The dos and don’ts, like the legal framework, the roles of the EHO, the roles and functions of the overseer…the roles, duties, and functions of the councillor as a whole. So, I know leaving here today, I’m taking back a wealth of experience that I will be able to share with my colleagues,” she said.
The training ceremony was also attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Miguel Choo-Kang, and senior staff of the Ministry.
