Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall said the country’s municipalities on Thursday received computers to boost their services.

A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said all municipalities, except Georgetown, which already has a computerised system, were given equipment intended to enhance institutional strengthening and capacity building.

Rose Hall Interim Management Committee Chairman Bevan Sinclair and Anna Regina Mayor Sammy Rampersaud accepted the systems on behalf of their municipalities. Rampersaud said the systems will augment the development of information storage and will be of immense benefit to the respective communities. Lall made the donation at the offices of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union. Permanent Secretary Ganga Persaud also attended the event.

The valuation division at the Ministry of Finance was also given equipment. This division was upgraded and personnel trained to manage the property tax reform system to ensure uniformity of appraisals in the municipalities. Acting Project Co-ordinator at the Urban Development Programme (UDP) Frederick Flatts said the computers will allow the division to be electronically linked to the municipalities. A consultant has been hired to install the systems.

GINA said the UDP is being executed at an estimated cost of $4B and is the initiative of government and the Inter-American Development Bank to improve infrastructure and basic services within municipalities.