Minister Bulkan touts working relationship between Central Government and the regional administration in Region 9

February 5, 2018

DPI, Guyana, Monday, February 5, 2018

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and a team of ministry officials met with Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo regional officials, as part of a ministerial outreach on February 2 at the Lethem Amerindian Hostel. During the more than two-hour interactive meeting, Minister Bulkan addressed the need to ensure that all regional officials, including Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), and Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) cooperate for the betterment of their communities.

(left)Lethem Mayor Carlton Beckles and (right)Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan during a ministerial outreach to Upper Takatu/ Upper Essequibo on Friday February 2, 2018.

The minister noted that the concept of Local Government and local democracy was still to “take root” in many areas. This, he pointed out, was especially due to the system which obtained under the previous administration for 23 years. He was optimistic, however, that there would be a paradigm shift in this thinking before the end of this year.

Part of the process, the minister said, was the move to promote the use of regional names, instead of merely the regions by number, “for example, the use of Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo or even the Rupununi instead of Region Nine.” Minister Bulkan explained the move to refer to regions by their numbers was introduced in 1980 and was done without prior consultation. However, “the new move will see consultations with residents to select a name of their choice”.

The Minister added that the same methodology will be employed to have regions design, within agreed specifications, their own regional flags via a consultative process with residents. The process will continue until a consensus is achieved, the minister explained, “we can’t fight each other and we are committed to progress, arising out of unity”.

The Government’s strategic direction in this regard is to promote regional pride amongst all citizens and a greater sense of unity among all Guyanese, Minister Bulkan highlighted.