Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand and officials from her ministry yesterday met with senior personnel and departmental heads to review regional budget performance and discuss key priorities across the country.
A release from her ministry said that particular attention was given to regional expenditure, with Manickchand reviewing current spending rates across all administrative regions.
“Regions Three and Nine are leading, with expenditure in the 70 per cent range, followed by Region Two in the 60 per cent range. Regions One and Four recorded expenditure rates of 47 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively”, the release said.
The Minister emphasised the need to tackle delays in budget execution, identifying missing project designs, tender board delays, and uncoordinated requests as some of the main challenges.
To strengthen accountability and ensure the proper management of public resources, the release said that a comprehensive assessment and inventory of assets was mandated across all nursery schools, student dormitories, and doctors’ quarters nationwide.
Discussions also focused on urban management and infrastructure development in Georgetown.
The release said that Manickchand expressed appreciation to the teams involved in the Thomas Street Avenue project, which was designed in collaboration with the UK’s King’s Foundation under President Irfaan Ali’s Healthy Streets initiative. She said that attention is now shifting towards ensuring the long-term maintenance of the improved infrastructure.
The release said that the meeting also addressed activities surrounding Le Repentir Cemetery, including lot allocations through the Ministry’s online portal and burning operations at the site. Further, the reorganisation of pathway workers was discussed as part of efforts to promote cleaner and better-maintained public spaces.
Manickchand also lauded the staff whose work supports the Ministry’s daily operations. She highlighted recent additions to the Ministry’s operational structure, including a Director of Civil Works and a Head of Inclusivity and Welfare.
The Minister said that close monitoring, accountability, and teamwork will remain central to the Ministry’s work.
Permanent Secretary Miguel Choo-Kang and, Deputy Permanent Secretaries Godfrey Munroe and Eulanie Manu were also present at the meeting.
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