Khadijah Ameen, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, has called on regional corporations to adopt innovative approaches in fulfilling their functions. Speaking on November 20, Minister Ameen emphasized the need for proactive measures and creative solutions, despite the significant challenges faced by local governments. With a background as a former councillor, Ameen brings a can-do attitude to her role, but acknowledges that unlocking creativity is no easy task. Funding for local governments has remained stagnant over successive administrations, with $1.5 billion allocated for recurrent expenses between 2020 and 2025, and no increase expected for 2026. The anticipated revenue from property taxes, once seen as a major funding source, has been scrapped. Additionally, a $94.5 million provision for road rehabilitation across 14 municipalities was largely unspent, highlighting capacity limitations. However, Minister Ameen sees untapped potential in local government, particularly through public-private partnerships. At the commissioning of the refurbished Tunapuna/Piarco Municipal Police Post, she urged corporations to leverage their assets and explore alternative funding mechanisms. While the central government may restrict additional fee collections, corporations are encouraged to devise their own fundraising projects. The Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, with a $160 million budget allocation, serves as a model of innovation. Under Chairman Josiah Austin, the corporation has launched initiatives like the Eagle Eye project, which collaborates with local businesses to expand CCTV coverage. Minister Ameen’s call for innovation and collaboration serves as a blueprint for other regional corporations to follow.