Dear Editor,
The citizens of Georgetown and Guyana must feel pained and a sense of sadness when they look at the state of the capital, and the many things that are ugly − a situation that need not have been. At the risk of sounding narcissistic, all of this could have been avoided if the government had only allowed the elected mayor and councillors a chance to really manage the city since 1994.
For now I refer to only one aspect of our woes. Look at the Stabroek News editorial (Monday, February 4) titled ‘Big buildings but no parking.’
There must be some diabolical plan by the PPP/C administration to destroy the city. Whatever the reasons these are short-sighted and a demonstration of political immaturity; they suggest an inglorious march of folly.
The editorial begins, “In a letter in the February 2nd edition of Stabroek News entitled ‘No Parking for taxpayers at new GRA location’, Ms Nadia Burke related the tribulations she endured while trying to find parking close to the new Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Headquarters on Camp Street.”
Citizens must know that in 2000 after wide-ranging discussions and consultations with citizens, the security forces and most importantly the business community, a plan for the enhancement and development of the city was approved by the council, and the same was submitted to cabinet to be given the green light, so to speak, for its implementation. A significant recommendation was that every new development in the business district of Georgetown should provide adequate parking on the ground floor or elsewhere to facilitate staff and customers. At the cabinet meeting the acceptance of this proposal was advanced by me, and in addition we asked for the use of unused lands in the City for parking.
President Jagdeo led the assault on these proposals saying these will be a disincentive to the business community. To put a nail in the coffin, the government also refused a recommendation for land to be used for parking for commuters who travelled to the East Coast and Berbice; an empty plot of land north of the city was identified, but that too was ignored and since then the administration has sold these properties.
So compliments of an imperial administration, we have a city that is congested and ugly.
I call upon all patriots to speak up.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
Mayor
