Dear Editor,
The editorial on September 21, 2009 was spot on.
Points worth making however include the following:
In the first instance it may have been overlooked that the large sums of money quoted as having been spent on roads in the city can invite queries about the quality of the work executed, given the fact that it is the same set of roads which obtain repeated attention. Obviously good construction or reconstruction would not require such repetition. Interestingly enough the specific mention of Kitty and Campbellville areas are apt examples of the poor use of funds in road rehabilitation. Perhaps SN should conduct a series of photographic commentaries on roads in those very areas, and other identified parts of the City (perhaps invite letters).
A gentle enquiry will reveal that the IDB sponsored an intensive project under the Urban Development Programme which involved an updated assessment of properties in the Municipalities and NDCs, the values of which were entered into a comprehensive database.
The exercise involved several highly qualified professionals; and dozens of technical technically qualified assessors who made digital photographs of the respective properties; as well as data entry operators who inputted the information.
The Valuation Division was slated to be revamped and to be headed by overseas personnel (one out of Barbados) to effect the recommendations, together with the councils involved. The new organization structure was vetted both by OP and the Ministry of Finance, with approval of the IDB.
Alas in the absence of any implementation, a demonstrably inadequate tax base founded on rates decades old has allowed the City of Georgetown to sink into garbage.
How symbolic some might say.
More positively, however, it would appear that rather than treading the hackneyed road of an IMC, opportunity should be taken to implement the comprehensive report which recently emanated from the Burrowes Commission of Enquiry. It would appear that such an approach could meet the respective concerns of the Central Government and the Mayor and City Council, and lead to providing desired changes in the management, and the delivery of services.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
