Community Development Councils (CDC), across the nation, will soon be revamped and transformed into a more institutionalised body to allow residents an opportunity to be more involved in decision-making.
CDCs are organised within the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to effectively represent residents’ concerns.
Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the new Government is moving towards overhauling these groups since it is cognisant that residents play an essential role in the development of their communities.
He made the announcement while engaged in a walkabout exercise in several flood-affected communities between No. 52 to 74 villages in Region Six on Sunday last.
The Local Government Minister received complaints from residents of not being able to receive services from their respective NDCs, though their rates and taxes are being paid.
Minister Dharamlal said a better channel of communication will be established among the local organs, in the region, to ensure that every citizen receives full benefits from the new administration.
“We are adamant about putting in place an information system within Local Government and Regional Development that feeds from the regional information system, which in turn feeds from the NDC system.”
He explained, when the system is initiated, every NDC is expected to have a logbook to record complaints and issues reported by residents.
Similarly, an issue log will also be established at the level of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). This will allow each Councillor the opportunity of ensuring that their matters are noted.
The Minister assured that this information will be monitored by his Ministry daily. (Extracted and modified from the Department of Public Information)
