Government Introduces Bill Seeking To Strengthen Local Governance Through Municipal Expansion

Government has introduced the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026 which proposes increasing the number of municipalities from 14 to 17.

Political scientist Dr. Maukesh Basdeo said the Bill is about more than increasing the number of municipalities, describing it as a move aimed at strengthening local governance and representation.

“When we look as to see where the Bill intends to create these additional municipalities is to create a degree of equity within these municipalities. But really, primarily its how we allocate resources to actually manage the date to day affairs because the local government system as a government machinery has the effect of actually affecting the lives more directly than let’s say central government.”