Businessman and florist Gerhard Ramsaroop says that the City Constabulary must be urgently reformed and he also wants a mini-bus shuttle system introduced in Georgetown to ease traffic congestion.
Ramsaroop is on the proportional representation section of the APNU+AFC list at Friday’s elections. Depending on how well the governing coalition does, he could possibly be one of their representatives on the new council.
Ramsaroop, who dwells in constituency 11, East La Penitence-River View said he would like to be on the Georgetown City Council so that he can serve his community and beyond.
In a comment to Stabroek News, he said that listening to the candidates on social media and at the debates, he realised that good ideas and the desire to work hard are not confined to any one party, group, or individual.
“It is really important that we work together despite whatever differences we may have, for the good of our capital and the wider community it serves. So, if elected to the Council, helping to find that middle ground and foster togetherness is what would be critically important to me. This must also work in conjunction with meaningful and respectful consultation with those we serve.
“As one of the priorities, the City Constabulary should be reformed. There have been too many unacceptable complaints, and positive changes must be seen almost immediately after the new Council is sworn in. While the Council must be firm and fearless in the execution of its duties, citizens must not feel any sense of oppression or unfairness”.
Ramsaroop, who has taken a keen interest in the traffic congestion in the city and written previously on it, also wants innovations in this area.
“I would like to see the implementation of a mini-bus shuttle system throughout the city. This way, citizens can park their vehicles further out from the city centre, and still have easy access in and around Georgetown. To ease congestion further, the timing of garbage collection and movement of container trucks must be managed. In general, there must be much better traffic management, and this can be achieved with improved signage, demarcation of lanes, and one-way systems. Of course, this does not mean any of the myriad of other problems, such as drainage, roads, markets, bus parks and so on are any less important to me”. Ramsaroop also wants to see more efficient services at the council.
“I would also like to see increased opportunities for training and employment through the provision of better, more efficient services along with improved tax collection. The mechanical workshop should be modernised and expanded, offering services beyond just the Council’s vehicles. An efficient workshop would also allow the Council once again to offer garbage collection services cheaper than currently contracted out, and allow the savings to be directed to other priority areas”, he said.
As part of the beautification of Georgetown, in addition to flowering plants, shrubs and trees, Ramsaroop says that fruit trees should also be planted.
“On that note, I would like to encourage my fellow candidates to keep their campaign clean and focused on issues. After all, we will have to work together harmoniously in order to serve our city”, he asserted.
