Dear Editor,
I am writing to register my concern over the apparent one-sided approach to the provision of housing for a single category of workers without fully consulting the public. I am referring to the article which appeared in the Guyana Chronicle on January 20, 2016 under the title ‘Gated community for M&CC staff.’
Before my disapproval is misconstrued as lack of support for this initiative, let me unequivocally say that I do support bringing affordable housing to our workers, regardless of where they work.
My contention in relation to this move centres on what seems like City Hall’s licence to operate without consulting anyone. The article makes reference to this being a form of boosting employee morale. I think the first step to boosting employee morale should be creating a work environment that is conducive to growth, productivity and the overall well-being of the said workers.
I have a number of questions for the administration at City Hall:
How did land suddenly become available for housing?
Does the Mayor’s position at the CHPA give the council unilateral access to these lands?
Why the areas of Guyhoc, South Ruimveldt and Bel Air? Why wasn’t this done before?
What is the cost to develop these lands?
The administration at City Hall needs to be more accountable to the people it serves. Led by the Mayor of Georgetown, the City Council and administration seem to be operating with their own rules and agenda.
Yours faithfully,
Ronson Gray
Campaign Manager
Team Benschop for Mayor