The National Commission for Self-Help The National Commission for Self-Help (NCSH) assists community groups to improve facilities in their area.
Self-help or community groups and village councils can approach the Commission for assistance. A self-help group can be the residents of an area coming together to achieve a desired objective.
Projects undertaken by the Commission include -
Road Building (include agricultural access roads)
Drainage repairs
Construction of retaining walls
Bridges
Extensions to and refurbishment of community centres and schools
Electrification
Water mains extension projects.
When presenting the project to the Commission, the group should describe the background to the project, the hardships being experienced, the benefits to be derived after the project is completed and the number of people who will benefit.
It should be noted that the group's contribution should be at least 40 per cent of the total project cost including labour.
In respect of electrification and water projects, the National Commission for Self-Help (NCSH) will make formal written requests to the relevant authorities for a detailed technical evaluation on behalf of the community group.
Projects other than electrification and water should have a detailed estimate prepared, for example by the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Tobago House of Assembly, Regional and City Corporations, or by a qualified person from within the community.
The project should be well defined so as to determine the needs.
EXAMPLE
Project: ... The laying of 200 metres of four-inch water mains.
Input: ... (I) The communities financial and labour contribution to the project
(ii) Other contributor(s) to the project and their contribution
Need ... NCSH to assist in the shortfall in material requirements.
The Chief Executive Officer,
National Commission for Self-Help
Autorama Building, El Socorro Road, San Juan
or call: 638-9825 / 675-4357 / 638-9741 / 674-1530
Courtesy Ministry of Public Administration and Information