GEORGETOWN, Guyana — With renewed urgency, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand has called on the country’s regional and neighbourhood democratic councils to restore public trust by delivering services and embracing accountability, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Speaking during engagements with councils in several regions, Manickchand emphasized that local governance must be visible and responsive. “We are a team of servants of the people … they expressed confidence in you … they expressed the desire and the hope that you would serve their communities,” she said, as quoted by DPI.
She underscored that councillors must be fully aware of their geographic remit, intimately understand community needs and maintain direct engagement with residents, especially during moments of celebration, grief or assistance.
As the front-line of public service delivery, neighbourhood democratic councils (NDCs) were urged to prioritize core tasks — including pension registration, school placements, and cash-grant support — signaling to residents that their investment in local leadership is yielding tangible outcomes.
Manickchand also stressed that involving residents in decision-making around local fund allocations is critical to rebuilding confidence. “Your job is to establish and build trust between you and your constituents … today I want you to go back with a resolve that the people of your community will trust you for good service,” she said.
The call forms part of a wider push by Government to strengthen decentralised service delivery and ensure local democratic organs operate efficiently and transparently, DPI reported.