Local gov’t organs being boosted to be development partners -Minister Persaud

Minister within Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Hon. Anand Persaud says this year’s National Budget exemplifies the PPP/C Government’s manifesto, which seeks to transform the lives of all Guyanese, despite COVID-19.

The Minister made this statement during his presentation at the Budget Debate on Thursday in the National Assembly.

He also rebutted claims by Opposition Member of Parliament, Hon. Ganesh Mahipaul that the Government has interfered in the operations of the Local Democratic Organs (LDOs).

Minister Persaud said those entities were found to be “weak, neglected and poorly managed,” when this Administration took office. As such, the Government intends to strengthen them so they could fulfil their mandates. This would also complement the Ministry’s efforts to adopt a long-term plan to partner with communities in national development.

“The impact of COVID-19 19 pandemic has stymied local economic development, community development, and will continue to do so in the short term and medium term. However, this Government aims to adopt a long-term sustainable development plan to utilise the vast potential of communities, municipalities, and regions culminating in improving quality of life for all,” he said.

Therefore, Minister Persaud said, the statements made by MP Mahipaul are “despicable” as the Government is committed to Guyana’s development.

He also said the coalition government wasted millions of dollars to rehabilitate several markets, yet they are incomplete and have less than 40 per cent occupancy. This includes the renovations at the Kitty Market in 2016, which is still unfinished.

“They had all the time to do all they wanted for the Guyanese people and what did they do? They wasted it, launder and steal the people’s money or resources, break up and criticise everything that was working and failed to replace it. Take the hard on jobs away from our people, substituting it with perilous plans and unthinkable farcical ideas that never got fully off the ground,” Minister Persaud said.

The Local Government Ministry started rehabilitation works during the latter half of 2020, at the East La Penitence, East Ruimveldt, Mon Repos, and Corriverton markets among others.  Phase I of the Mon Repos market is near completion.

Meanwhile, Minister Persaud said about $172 million would go towards capacity building, institutional strengthening and infrastructural works for the LDOs. This would also cover rehabilitation at the Parika, Charity and Mon Repos markets.

Additionally, $552 million has been allocated to strengthen about 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities. This includes $150 million to provide economic opportunities for the people.

In 2021, rehabilitation works will soon start at the Annandale/Riverstown, Aberdeen/Zorg-en-Vlygt, Leguan, Canefield Enterprise, Black Bush Polder and other NDC buildings.

Currently, a three-year strategic plan and analysis for the constituency with the National Policy Directive are being reviewed to determine their value for future interventions in the Linden, Bartica, Georgetown, Lethem and New Amsterdam municipalities.

Minister Persaud commended Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Hon. Dr Ashni Singh and his team for a job well done on the Budget.

“All these incentives being offered in Budget 2021 will put us back on the road to economic recovery, even as the COVID-19 pandemic have set back the world economically,” he said.

The $383.1 billion National Budget was presented under the theme, “A Path to Recovery, Economic Dynamism and Resilience.”