By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
Leader of the Forward Guyana Movement and Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir has strongly criticised the exclusion of Region 10 from meaningful participation in the formulation of Budget 2026, describing the situation as a serious democratic failure that has left the region in limbo.
Walton-Desir argued that Region 10 Upper Demerara-Berbice was the only administrative region unable to actively contribute to its regional budget, following a political deadlock that emerged after the 2025 Regional Elections.
“What informs the budget is the local input,” Walton-Desir said, questioning how a legitimate budget could have been crafted for Region 10 without the involvement of its elected Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
She explained that in a functioning democracy, councillors are expected to meet, consult with communities, identify priorities, and submit proposals that reflect the needs of residents. However, the prolonged failure to elect a Regional Chairman and Vice-Chairman has effectively shut Region 10 residents out of that process.
According to Walton-Desir, the exclusion of elected councillors denied constituents their right to participate in decisions affecting their development, leaving budgetary authority in the hands of the central government, which holds only one RDC seat in the region.
“The people of Region 10 were essentially told, ‘Take what you get. We don’t care what you want,’” she said, describing the situation as deeply unfair and dismissive of local voices.
Walton-Desir maintained that had the government genuinely cared about the interests of Region 10 residents, it would have ensured the timely election of the RDC leadership to break the post-election stalemate. All other regions, she noted, have fully functioning RDCs, making Region 10 the lone exception.
She also criticised the continued refusal of the Regional Executive Officer to reconvene a meeting to elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, despite calls from multiple stakeholders. While the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development has stated she lacks the authority to direct the officer, Walton-Desir said the government’s overall silence has allowed the impasse to persist.
As a result, she warned, Region 10’s budgetary affairs remain under the control of an appointed Regional Executive Officer rather than elected representatives, undermining democratic governance and accountability.
The MP concluded that the situation represents a major setback for Region 10, with long-term implications for development planning, transparency, and public trust in the political process.
