HGP Nightly News – Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, delivered a comprehensive defense of the government’s community-focused agenda during the 2026 budget debate, detailing multi-billion-dollar allocations aimed at strengthening local governance and transforming public infrastructure.
Brushing aside opposition criticism, Minister Manickchand asserted that her ministry has been actively listening and engaging with citizens to pursue “wholesome, clean, and safer communities.” She framed the budgetary investments as a direct response to local needs and a decisive move to decentralize power and resources across Guyana.
The minister outlined a series of key financial injections designed to empower local bodies. These include a direct allocation of $30 million for each of the country’s 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), $50 million for municipalities, and funding for the construction of eight new NDC buildings alongside the rehabilitation of five others.
A significant portion of her presentation focused on revolutionizing solid waste management. Minister Manickchand announced plans to construct eight modern landfill sites across multiple regions and pledged to equip every NDC and municipality with at least one garbage compactor. She acknowledged the scale of the challenge, stating, “It’s not a one moment fix,” and highlighted complementary recycling and public education campaigns.
In addition, $4.9 billion has been earmarked for the rehabilitation, rebuilding, or construction of 34 markets and vending areas nationwide, aimed at supporting small businesses and vendors.
On employment, the minister highlighted the National Pathway Workers Programme, to which $11.7 billion is allocated for 2026. She reported that in 2025 alone, the programme employed over 13,883 women and 3,882 men.
Throughout her address, Minister Manickchand directly rejected opposition narratives of failure, concluding with a confident declaration to her critics: “I never fail baby.” Her presentation positioned the budget as a tangible, ground-level investment in the machinery of local democracy and the quality of community life.
