Over $152M approved for eight, Region Five NDCs 2015 work programme
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown GINA, February 15, 2015, Source - GINA
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development on Friday handed over the approved budgets for eight of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Five, Mahaica-Berbice.
The brief ceremony was held at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) boardroom.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker presented the representatives of Woodlands/Farm, Hamlet/Chance, Mahaicony/Abary, Profit/Rising Sun, Union/Naarstigheid, Woodlands/Bel Air, Zeelust / Rosignol and Blairmont/Gelderland with their 2015 budgets after they were reviewed and approved by the ministry. Seafield/Tempie and Bath/Woodley Park are soon to receive theirs after some fine tuning is done.
A representative of one of the NDCs in Region Five asking a question at the Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development’s Budget approval and handing over ceremony
The table below depicts the total amount of money that has been approved for each NDC and a breakdown of how it will be spent.
NDC | RATES (LAND AND HOUSE) | OTHER SOURCES | MARKET | SUBVENTION | TOTAL BUDGET AMOUNT |
Blairmont/Geelderland | 3,707,020 | 2,068,294 |
| 4,103,506 | 9,878,820 |
Rosigmol/Zeelust (Market) |
|
| 6,576,084 |
| 6,576,084 |
Rosignol/Zeelust | 7,484,164 | 4,064,795 |
| 3,943,663 | 15,492,622 |
Bel Air/Woodlands | 2,379,871 | 916,807 |
| 3,524,663 | 6,821,341 |
BATH/Woodley Park(Market) |
|
| 1,149,401 |
| 1,149,401 |
Bath/Woodley Park | 3,476,051 | 4,179,701 |
| 4,568,635 | 12,224,387 |
Union/Naarsteigheid | 21,450,558 | 4,213,304 |
| 4,040,248 | 29,704,110 |
Seafield/Tempie | 5,740,215 | 2,623,385 |
| 3,678,206 | 12,041,806 |
Profit/Rising Sun | 3,828,306 | 569,789 |
| 4,066,201 | 8,464,296 |
Mahaicony/Abary | 12,680,139 | 2,820,576 |
| 3,756,502 | 19,257,217 |
Hamlet/chance | 6,424,207 | 945,475 |
| 3,498,709 | 10,868,391 |
Woodlands/Farm (Market) |
|
| 1,290,001 |
| 1,290,001 |
Woodlands/Farm | 11,866,570 | 2,371,875 |
| 4,233,708 | 18,472,153 |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
| 152,240,629 |
Speaking to the gathering, Minister Whittaker pointed out that the ministry will be considering an increase in their annual subvention; however this depends on their performance.
He urged the representatives to work harder and ensure that more taxes are collected.
A section of the Region Five staff that was present at the Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development’s Budget approval and handing over ceremony
He added that staff should report to work on time as it is often noted that lateness is a recurring problem and is also a major contributor to late collection of taxes.
Further, he urged them to come up with ideas to encourage persons to pay their taxes such as creating payment plans and striking deals to allow persons to pay the outstanding amounts in parts.
Other issues discussed by the minister include that of funds for maintenance. He called on the representatives to take good care of the brush cutters among other tools and equipment that have been provided to the NDCs.
Minister of Local Government & Regional Development, Norman Whittaker handing over the approved budget to one of the NDC representative at the ceremony
The staff of the various NDCs was also given the opportunity to raise concerns and seek clarification on issues.
Also present at the ceremony was Region Five Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth among other representatives of the Regional administration.