With Puran Brothers Inc signalling its intention to discontinue the collection of garbage in some sections of the city because of outstanding payments, the mayor is laying the blame at the feet of the Minister of Local Government and the acting Town Clerk.
Mayor Hamilton Green yesterday disclosed at a press conference held at City Hall that the solid waste collector had threatened to discontinue its service to the areas of “group 7 and 8”—mainly La Penitence, Lamaha, Alberttown, Cummingsburg and Queenstown—if the substantial amount of money owed to the company since last August was not paid. He also explained at the press briefing that attempts by the council since 2013, to have tenders for garbage collection services for sections 7 and 8, were continually ignored by Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba.
Green said Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker has since assured Puran Brothers that the outstanding sum would be paid and it continues to service the areas.
Green questioned the minister’s intervention, explaining that while the Mayor and Councillors are in full support of the contractor being paid, the right procedures should be embraced in making the disbursement.
The non-payment had resulted in Puran Brothers sending a legal claim to the M&CC. Green said the letter was received about two weeks ago.
Expressing disgust at the non-payment, he opined that the intended legal action should be directed towards Sooba in her personal capacity, since at no point had she sought guidance or received the authority from the M&CC to enter an agreement with the solid waste company on the city council’s behalf.
Meanwhile, Green challenged the local government minister and the government to a meeting to discuss the conditions of the city, since he claimed that he and the councillors were relentless in their efforts to upkeep the city but were being denied the opportunity to execute what is required of them.
“In spite of the efforts, wishes and desires of citizens and the council, the city remains in a sordid state, which is a result of the obvious disregard meted out to the mayor and councillors,” said Green. He noted that since the imposition of Sooba, none of the projects, proposals and decisions of the council were carried out by her or Minister Whittaker. The mayor further highlighted the state of the Stabroek Market, confusion on the pavements and unacceptable conditions of the canals, while attributing them to the actions of Sooba.
The mayor further claimed that his statements are firmly supported by an abundance of evidence based on a history of the current government trying to fit square pegs in round holes, which he claimed that Sooba exemplified.
