Mayor plans shopping mall for Bourda Green

CITY Mayor Compton Young says he plans to set up a two-storey shopping mall on Bourda Green, which will in­clude a bank, cinema and two restaurants.

Young Friday after­noon said the City Engineer’s department is considering the project, to be funded by two reputable local firms. The mall will provide accom­modation for 1,600 booths and priority will be given to vendors now occupying the Arcade on lower Regent Street.

The modern shopping mall will promote the re­opening of Regent Street onto Water Street and will correct the present confus­ing arrangement in the Bourda Green area.

The mayor told reporters of his ambitious project at an annual press briefing and reception at the Hotel Tower, at which Deputy Mayor Herbert Harper and chairmen of several of the Council’s committees including those for finance and markets were noticeably absent.

Also among his projec­tions for 1992 is the establishment of a car park on Merriman’s Mall with an overhead walk-way from the shopping mall, the connection of Charlotte Street through Bourda Green to reduce traffic congestion on Regent Street and the continuation of the Municipal Museum project.

Young said the two private companies have been invited to look at the shopping mall project and he hopes phase one will be completed by year end.

An historical road-roller will be installed in the forecourt of the City Engineer’s building and there would be possible construction of the museum with funds from interested agencies and in­dividuals.

The Council also in­tends to set up a new abat­toir in Liliendaal and has planned short term refurbishment of the existing facility on Water Street which is now about 100 years old.

In addition, a long term landfill site may be iden­tified at the back of Providence and officials say this should last for about 25 years.

Sweepers have been appointed to clean up rub­bish left lying around after bins are emptied into trucks.

Young said his achievements for last year were extensive road rehabilitation in every area of the city, improved refuse collection, a massive desilting exercise, repairs to bridges and cul­verts, and rehabilitation of Bourda and Stabroek markets with construction of sanitary facilities. Sweepers were also intro­duced to clean up rubbish left lying around after bins have been emptied.

He noted there was a significant improvement in revenue collection and the Council’s day care centres continued to “do well”.

Among current problems are the handicap of the city police depart­ment which is suffering manpower shortage and the continuous presence of pavement vendors. Young maintained he was “very unhappy” with their operations on the pave­ment and threatened to do “something very dramatic” shortly.

President calls for courtesy, integrity in Public Service

“LACK of integrity and incompetence are unac­ceptable in the public service,” President Des­mond Hoyte told par­ticipants of the seminar at the Guyana National Service Sports Complex yesterday.

In an address sprinkled with personal anecdotes, the President advised staff of his office to develop courtesy, affability and in­tegrity when dealing with each other and the public. These qualities are neces­sary if the office of the president is to set a posi­tive example to other government employees, Hoyte said.

In his half-hour speech. President Hoyte cautioned staffers not to seek popularity, but in­stead to concentrate on honest appraisal of their performance. “Junior staff may contribute more than the experienced ones.” The President said. “Positive, continuous ef­forts are needed if efficien­cy is to be maintained,” he continued.

“The office of the President is a vital part of the government,” the President said, and urged Permanent Secretary Paula Mohamed to inten­sify training of employees.

“You must equip yoursel­ves with knowledge and expertise in order to per­form effectively. You are expected to help advance the policies of govern­ment,” Hoyte advised.

At the beginning of his address, the president revealed that he had discarded his prepared speech and spoke “off-the-cuff”. He called an participants to adjust to the change, saying the lack of change can prove “dangerous”.

Hoyte warned that staffers who treat members of the public in a “shabby” manner would not last long and advised them to demonstrate patience, care and courtesy to whomever they deal with.