By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
— Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, delivered a comprehensive and defiant presentation during her 20th Budget Debate on Thursday. Armed with a $36.2 billion allocation for the 2026 fiscal year, the Minister laid out a transformative roadmap for the nation’s 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), 10 municipalities, and 10 Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs).
The Minister opened her speech with sharp political commentary, addressing members of the opposition “We Invest in Nationhood” (WIN) party. She predicted the eventual disintegration of the new opposition faction, stating, “I know that as soon as this disintegrates… You will be coming back home, and we will welcome you back home.”
Empowering Local Organs with Increased Subventions
A central pillar of the 2026 agenda is the direct injection of capital into local government bodies to foster community-level autonomy.
Allocation Breakdown:
- Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs): $30 million each (Totaling $2.1 billion).
- Municipalities: $50 million each (Totaling $500 million).
- RDC/NDC Infrastructure: $480 million for the construction of 8 new NDC buildings and the rehabilitation of 5 existing structures.
Minister Manickchand emphasized that these funds are intended to empower local leaders to execute community-driven projects following direct consultation with residents.
A “New Look” at Waste Management
The Minister signaled a massive overhaul of Guyana’s solid waste disposal system, moving toward a circular economy model that prioritizes reusing and recycling over simple dumping.
- Landfill Expansion: Eight new modern landfill sites are slated for Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10.
- Equipment Blitz: Every single NDC and municipality will receive at least one garbage compactor truck—a first for the country.
- Commercial Hubs: The ministry is procuring industrial shredders, bins, and compactors specifically for marketplaces to manage high waste volumes.
“Every single NDC, every single municipality, is going to get a garbage compactor truck… that will be a first in this country,” the Minister told the House, vowing that the government would deliver on the promise of cleaner, safer communities.
Market Restoration and Capacity Building
Recognizing markets as vital economic hubs, the budget earmarks $4.9 billion for the rehabilitation or construction of 34 market areas nationwide. This includes a significant $2 billion allocation dedicated to restoring the iconic Stabroek and Bourda markets.
To ensure these investments are managed effectively, the Minister announced a “massive” training initiative. The program will focus on building the capacity of officials serving in local government and the citizens they serve.
