He made the announcement at the opening here of the Caribbean Conference on Local Government Decentralisation in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

Some 100 delegates, including local government ministers and mayors from the Caribbean, are attending the meeting at the Ocean View Convention Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

"Stemming from the broad democratic panorama of which we in Guyana are justly proud, we (have) embarked on the decentralisation of state powers through constitutional reforms", Collymore told the conference.

He referred to the Joint Task Force on local government reform, set up through dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte to implement "the provisions of local government reform legislation" and for local government elections to be held here as speedily as possible.

In the envisaged reforms, Collymore noted that the local government organs of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), villages and communities will have numerous powers, which at present reside by statute with the Minister.

"They will be able to exercise financial, administrative and fiscal autonomy in those areas where they currently have to seek the prior approval of the RDC (Regional Democratic Council) or the Minister of Local Government", he said.

However, Collymore added that Central Government is aware that even after devolution and decentralisation, the various local government organs will still need varying degrees of financial support from the national treasury in order to supplement their revenues. The Task Force, he noted, is considering the options in this area.

The Minister therefore assured delegates that the Government of Guyana endorses the objectives of the conference.

"This conference can and should result in the further strengthening and deepening of our democratic traditions, in addition to our earnest aspirations for good governance", he said.

Georgetown Mayor, Mr. Hamilton Green urged delegates to approach with an open and positive mind, the issue of local government decentralisation.

Green said that governments and international agencies need to give more than 'lip service' to the concept of local government decentralisation, adding that central governments view transfer of authority as a threat to their authority.

He said that local government is an important link in today's free society and in addition to providing the traditional services, local government units should be in the forefront in helping to create social stability.

President of the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA), Mr. Larel Thomas said that there is a growing desire for local government decentralisation and local government reform in many countries of the region.

He stressed that "the people must be involved at all stages".

Thomas said that in order for Caribbean local government systems to be successful, local authorities must rise to the challenges of pursuing good governance.

Further, Thomas said that many of the existing systems must be reformed and that local authorities must strive for financial self-sufficiency and autonomy.

"If we depend on Central Government, they will dictate for us what to do...we must be able to finance ourselves", he made clear.

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Ronald Godard said that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is pleased to support the conference.

He noted that while all the countries represented have their own distinct histories and priorities, what they have in common is the pressing need to define how governance and reform initiatives will apply to their unique circumstances.

Godard said that over the decades, the trend has been to empower local government institutions to be more responsive to the needs of citizens.