$1B in subventions budgeted for local gov’t bodies

Allocations for subventions for local government authorities have more than doubled in the government’s proposed 2018 budget, going from $401 million last year to $1 billion.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, while presenting the budget on Monday, told the National Assembly that although the return of local government elections are most welcome, simply holding polls does not guarantee an effective local government system. As a result, he said government has been working with Neighbour-hood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities across the country to improve their capacities for administration and fiscal management.

One measure to improve the functioning of the authorities is the allocation of $1 billion for transfer to NDCs and the 9 municipalities, while a further sum of $200 million is targeted to improve the capital, Georgetown.

The Local Government Commission, which