Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul has criticised the government’s decision to allocate an across-the-board $50 million subvention to the 10 municipalities, arguing that the move fails to take into account the varying needs and population sizes of the different towns.
He made those comments at a recent People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) press conference.
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that each municipality would now receive $50 million annually, while each Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) would receive $30 million. This marks a substantial increase from the previous allocations municipalities previously received about $18 million, and NDCs, $5 million.
Mahipaul said while the increased allocations to local democratic organs reflect an increase from previous years, the government’s one size fits all approach is both inadequate and inequitable. Specifically, he pointed to the capital city, Georgetown. “A $50 million subvention to Georgetown is inadequate. Georgetown’s population, Georgetown’s boundaries, and all the other factors, $50 million can never be sufficient,” Mahipaul asserted.
He continued, “It’s kind of unfair to give Georgetown $50 million, New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Linden, Anna Regina, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, the 10 towns an equal sum, when the 10 towns don’t have the same factors in terms of what is necessary to enhance development in their respective areas.”
Moreover, Mahipaul accused the central government of politically interfering in the affairs of local democratic organs through appointed officers and policies. As such, he said the solution to the ongoing issues lies in removing the current administration from office.
