Three entrepreneurs will be battling for a seat in the commercial section of the city at March 18th’s local government elections in a race that pits a Benschop for Mayor candidate against contestants from APNU+AFC and the PPP/C.
All three want to eliminate traffic congestion, improve drainage and modernise the major markets (Bourda and Stabroek) in Constituency Seven.
Bishram Suppen is representing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C); Audie Henriques, Team Benschop for Mayor and Roopnarine Persaud, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC). While they are battling it out in the First-Past-The Post (FPTP) race, their names are also on the Proportional Representation (PR) list of their respective groups which means there is a chance they can still get on the council even if they lost the FPTP race.
Constituency Seven comprises Bourda–Stabroek Central-Lacytown.
Suppen told Stabroek News that he teamed up with the PPP/C and entered the local government election race because he has a strong desire to develop the capital.
“The people of our city are hard-working, industrious and intelligent and they deserve highly qualified and proactive councillors and a mayor to run City Hall. Together we can build and maintain a city we can all be proud,” the aspiring councillor said.
Suppen told Stabroek News that during his years working in the United States as a corporate manager and earlier as an officer of the Guyana Defence Force he accumulated extensive experience in management, procurement, real estate, technology, security and community issues which he believes he can use to serve his constituency if elected.
The candidate said that from his walkabouts, he has discerned that Constituency Seven has some of the most pressing issues in all of Georgetown. He said that these would need the assistance of Central Government.
Suppen said he would like to see the markets which are dilapidated, unsecured, dysfunctional and unhealthy brought up to standard. “The biggest markets in the country are also located in my constituency – Stabroek and Bourda markets. There is also the Vendors Arcade along with numerous street vendors across the constituency. It is my view that all of the markets can be upgraded and modernised to accommodate many more vendors and ease the overflow of street vending,” he emphasised.
He contended, “We must have a permanent, affordable and workable garbage collection and disposal strategy to deal with the voluminous amount of garbage we generate each day.”
In addition, he said he plans to recommend to the councillors, once elected, that durable and attractive collection receptacles be placed across the city and emptied each day. He added that he is a big proponent of recycling for all products harmful to the environment and would recommend the implementation of a recycling programme with the involvement of experts in the field.
He said there needs to be permanent systems to ease flooding. Drain cleaning activities must be monitored and evaluated before, during and after works have commenced to ensure the standards are maintained.
Suppen said if elected to council he would work to see more recreational facilities around the city as everyone should have an outlet to enjoy a better quality of life.
“If we are hoping to make Georgetown attractive and tourist-friendly through developmental works, then we also need to install attractive street signage across the city to assist those people who are unfamiliar with Georgetown,” he stated.
Touching on crime, Suppen said he would seek to have City Hall engage in outreach programmes. He said that residents need to feel safe and with the outreach programmes with the City Constabulary, police officers and community policing groups, residents can move about with a higher level of confidence about their safety. He stated that while it would be an interaction with the residents, the presence will serve as notice to criminals. He said he has seen such strategies work in communities abroad and believes it would work here.
Suppen said the city needs highly trained staff with appropriate skills to deal professionally with “customers.”
If elected as councillor, “I would recommend that a detailed analysis of the city workforce should be conducted including classification, qualifications, grading and performance overview and to reward or recommend appropriate action, to enhance and motivate better performance from them. In addition, I would recommend a complete audit of the municipality of Georgetown to account for all assets, liabilities and any irregularities so that we can better manage the resources of the city,” Suppen said.
He asserted that City Hall needs to provide an Information Centre where residents can obtain free information about services offered by the city. He said that this should include a website with frequently updated content so residents are aware of the latest developments.
Suppen further stated that he would work to address issues such as building codes and violations along with the fast processing of applications for permits. He noted that there are numerous instances of code violations throughout Georgetown that need to be addressed by the Mayor and City Council. However, he is of the view that once a violation has been found, residents/businesses should be given a reasonable period to correct such deficiencies.
He pointed out that while Central Government will provide the majority of funding for Georgetown, the Mayor and City Council, via the Municipal Act, may undertake other revenue generating initiatives. He stated that he would recommend an extension of the rates amnesty so that more outstanding debts can be collected.
“Constituency Seven is home to numerous businesses, markets, government agencies including our Parliament Buildings and it can become an important attraction for tourists to improve our revenue base once we implement many of the ideas that I will be recommending to City Hall,” he added.
Analyse and solve
Roopnarine Persaud told Stabroek News that he brings a unique line of skills to the table and he would be able to use them to analyse and solve problems.
Persaud, called Ron, said he has fresh ideas that can be used to take the services provided to the next level. He however pointed out that his ideas may not materialise immediately.
Persaud said he would like to see the city equipped with machinery such as pressure washers, sludge pumps, sweepers and desilting machines. Persaud noted that it is the 21st century as such the city should be equipped with machines that can deliver quality and optimum service. Persaud said the machines would be able address the issues of clogged-up drains.
He stated that if elected to council he would also seek to address the parking situation and traffic congestion. Asked how such projects would be funded, he said that as a councillor he would be able to approach businesses entities through City Hall and seek public/private partnerships. He added that the modernisation of the markets should also be a private/public partnership.
Persaud added that he would employ technology to play a vital role in the operating and management of the city administration. He stated that through the internet he would like to see citizens be able to make complaints and criticisms and have responses in a timely manner. He said that with such a system, City Hall would be able to function more efficiently and deliver a better quality of service to residents. He however opined that the markets’ modernisation projects should be studied to great depth to find solutions to all the problems that would arise.
The aspiring councillor said the city has a number of avenues that can generate revenue. He said that within the next three years he would like to see people say they are proud to live in the city.
He stated that he would like to go to City Hall and make a difference pointing out that he started out as taxi driver and today he owns a top tyre shop in the city.
Persaud said he got involved in local government elections because he shares a similar vision with President David Granger for a better Guyana. He explained also that he chose to be involved in the elections because he is a patriot, nationalist and an independent-minded person.
Voicing
Audie Henriques told Stabroek News his involvement in the upcoming elections was a result of the urging of Mark Benschop who heads the Benschop for Mayor team. He explained that like any concerned citizen he was voicing his concerns to Benschop about the city and was then asked to be a part of the team.
He said he considered the proposal and got involved. He said that now he has an opportunity to address burning issues that are affecting residents in his constituency.
Henriques said that parking and traffic congestion within the city greatly affects residents and it is an issue he would like to address. He said he would like to see parking lots being established within the environs of the Bourda market, an area he pointed out that is known for traffic jams.
He also wants to improve the markets within the constituency. He stated that once people are comfortable, more revenues can be generated. He added that he would like to see a shopping area that can accommodate hundreds of vendors and a clear street to allow the free flow of traffic.
Touching on the topic of vagrants, he said that he would recommend that the city implements measures that would take them off the street. He said that they would first have to look at the possibility of having a fixed place of abode for the vagrants. Henriques also said that if he becomes a councillor he would like to see an end to people urinating in the corners and littering.
He also wants city canals cleaned and desilted regularly. He pointed out that in the years gone by little boys used to swim in the canals. Additionally, he said that if he becomes a councillor he would recommend that the council reviews the rates system. He pointed out that such a system is needed. He is of the belief that businesses are paying less than they are supposed to pay.
He added that he is keen on enforcing buildings codes within the city. He said that numerous buildings in the city are violating them. He also pointed out that after construction activities many drains are left clogged and this should not be. He stated that Guyana has developed a lawless culture and when persons try to enforce the laws, complaints are raised.
The businessman also said that funding for projects such as the markets’ modernisation and parking lots should come through public-private partnerships. He stated that he would also encourage City Hall to engage in fundraising to gather revenue to start and continue projects.
He said that he is willing to work on any project once it involves making the city better. “As a lifelong resident of Georgetown, I have seen this city transform and grow, now is the time to modernise Georgetown,” Henriques said.
