A mere 8% of the $248 million allocated for the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) subventions has so far been spent in 2017.
Information provided to Stabroek News by the Ministry of Communities shows that 61 of the 62 NDCs have received approval for their proposed work programmes and have therefore seen their $4 million subvention approved. The Woodlands/ Farm NDC in Region 5 is still to see its work programme approved.
Despite this 98% approval rate for work programmes, only $120 million or 48% has actually been released by the ministry and $20,576,472 or just over 8% has been spent.
The data shows 33 of the 194 proposed projects have been awarded a value of $25,993,855. While it is not clear which NDCs have been able to access funds, the data shows that the largest percentage of expenditure was recorded in Region 10. The lone NDC in that region, Kwakwani, has completed one project, valued at $1 million. Meanwhile, two other projects, collectively valued at another $1 million, are still to be awarded.
