Dear Editor,
Happy Anniversary! What are we celebrating? The last time local government elections (LGE) were held in Guyana was August 8, 1994. A lifetime ago. When those elections were held I had just turned 15; I recently celebrated my 36th birthday. Royston King was Public Relations Officer at City Hall back then as he was two weeks ago; the late Dr Faith Harding was the People’s National Congress (PNC) mayoral candidate; the former Prime Minister Hamilton Green (under the PNC) ran under the interest group Good and Green Guyana (GGG) with Patricia Chase-Green on his slate; Philomena Sahoye-Shury represented the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). That was 21 years ago. Before that time LGE had been held 24 years earlier, on June 27, 1970, and later in December of that year. Something is profoundly wrong with that kind of democratic renewal, especially with respect to a system touted to be our citizens’ closest contact with their government; a system which offers them the tools for their own empowerment.
Since our new government came to power there have been steps in the right direction, moving towards the naming of a date for LGE, when the democratic process will be invigorated anew. Many would agree that after a lengthy period for preparation the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) leaves much to be desired. Gecom’s next gathering is slated for August 18 at which time a decision is expected to be made as to the exact date of LGE. In 1994 there was a low voter turnout with much blame being placed on political parties and interest groups’ inability to bring out the vote. Gecom also shared in the blame in relation to inadequate voter education on the process. A total of 27, 383 votes were counted, 33.37 per cent of the electorate. With LGE possibly around the corner there is much work to be done by all stakeholders.
We do not have to rehearse ad nauseam the total breakdown of local government in places like Georgetown with the crumbling edifices of our five markets, and the many issues with our 50 miles of canals, 12 outfalls, 13 kokers and 8 or so pumps under the control of the municipality. Our response to an expanding problem of solid waste management alone needs a comprehensive overhaul. In 1994 the city council was tasked with removing 90 tons of refuse on a daily basis from an area of 15,325 square miles with 52 men, according to reports. Up to February 2011, waste from Georgetown and some of the NDCs was disposed of at a rate of 63,700 tons annually. Guyana’s central metropolitan population today of about 352,000
generates about 103,000 tons of solid waste annually, of which half is produced by Georgetown. Presently, Haags Bosch landfill site is operating over capacity.
The issues are not new; what is desperately needed are solutions. If we ever needed a reason for LGE we have it in the fact that after a massive cleanup of the city it is poised to return to the status quo, because there is no central plan of sustainability. That the city council has to put a committee in place to decide if they will clear the stretch of walkway on Lamaha Street overgrown with vegetation is another reason among a plethora of valid reasons.
Local government elections are absolutely necessary; in the meantime Happy Anniversary!
Yours faithfully,
Sherod Duncan
Chairman
Let’s Keep Georgetown Clean
