NDC officials to receive increased stipends in coming days

Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and councillors across Guyana are set to receive substantial increases in their monthly stipends in the coming days, as the government moves to fulfill a commitment aimed at strengthening local governance.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, announced that the increases will benefit approximately 70 chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, along with more than 1,000 councillors.

The minister said the stipend for NDC chairpersons will rise from $10,000 to $50,000 per month, while vice-chairpersons will see their payments increase from $5,000 to $40,000. Councillors’ stipends will move from $3,000 to $30,000 monthly.

In addition, regional councillors currently receiving $30,000 per month will see their stipends increase to $50,000.

“We had said that we would move the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils stipends from the chair getting $10,000 to $50,000, vice chair moving from $5,000 to $40,000 and councillors moving from $4,000 to $30,000, and we are about to do that,” Minister Manickchand stated.

She noted that the increases are intended to provide greater support to local government officials as they carry out their responsibilities in communities across the country.

“With more, our councillors, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons will have more to give to you. When much is given, more is expected,” she said.

The minister emphasised that the government remains committed to improving the effectiveness of local democratic organs and ensuring they are equipped to better serve citizens.

“I believe we can work together to make our local bodies function better, and this is part of trying to make sure we can do our part as the state to help these bodies function better,” Manickchand added.

The move to increase these stipends follows earlier increases in subventions for the NDCs and RDCs. Municipalities now receive $50 million as their new annual subvention, while Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) get $30 million each. Previously, NDCs got subventions totalling about $5 million, while municipalities got about $18 million.