‘You work for the people and communities that elected you. You must have good governance, transparency and accountability. You must be grounded and guided by the law’.
This was the charge stated by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag at the launching ceremony of the Overseers and Neighbourhood Democratic Councillors (NDCs) Training Programme on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said. The training organised by the Ministry targeted participants in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), attracting some 95 per cent of councillors and overseers. Parag said that this training had been years in the making. She stated that the presentations were specifically tailored to fully enhance the local government bodies by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to properly and effectively manage the needs of their communities.
“This isn’t just a training that was born within a week. This is an experience that has been years coming together,” she asserted. Parag said that the local leaders have a part to play in national development and strengthening democracy within their communities.
“One of the most important things you have, is to strengthen the democracy through the local governance structure. And what do I mean by that? Strengthening democracy and the rule of law comes from engagement with the citizens of your community,” she highlighted.
Parag then told the overseers and councillors present that they must serve the people even though it would seem like they have a “thankless job”. She said this service is what Guyana needs at its critical juncture in development.
“You cannot gain or maintain the confidence of the residents if you do not appear…The foremost thing should always be the people in your community. The foremost thing should never be self-interest… Engagement with communities and residents is very important. Come out of your offices, make visits to the community, and engage with the community. Your job is not a 9 to 5 because you are dealing with people and real issues,” Parag urged.
She said, “The residents of your community will come to you and look to you for assistance with things that obstruct and interrupt their daily lives. They will come to you to alleviate problems they have, and your engagement with them and your representation in trying to solve or alleviate those issues is what helps you keep the people satisfied, happy, and ensures equality in your community”.
Vice Chairman of the Industry/Plaisance NDC, Vanessa Benn, a first-time councillor on her NDC, believes that this training programme provides a greater avenue for networking across various NDCs. She believes that NDCs play a key role in providing services.
Chairman of the Better Hope/La Bonne Intention NDC, Zaman Shaw, commended the Government for undertaking the initiative. He is hopeful that the training can properly equip new councillors to effectively carry out their duties, DPI said.
“Especially in my council, we have over 75 per cent of new persons, and many are trying to understand the act that governs the NDC, its operations and so on. That’s one of the things that we hope will come out today and they’ll be able to be better equipped to handle their functions in the NDC,” Shaw said. Shantie Brumell-Bunbury of the Diamond/Grove NDC said that the training allows for a clearer understanding of carrying out her role as a first-time councillor.
“It is very critical and crucial that the new councillors have such training because I’ve been one year as a councillor, and there are so many things that we don’t know. The dos and don’ts, like the legal framework, the roles of the EHO, the roles and functions of the overseer…the roles, duties and functions of the councillor as a whole. So, I know leaving here today, I’m taking back a wealth of experience that I will be able to share with my colleagues,” she said.
