Dear Editor,
Yesterday at a Statutory meeting of the City Council, the councillors unanimously decided that the ambassador’s grant for the repair of the Stabroek Market clock would be returned to the United States Embassy. This grant was secured under the tenure of former Ambassador Perry Holloway.
The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown had submitted a proposal for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Stabroek Market Clock in January 2016 to the United States Embassy in Guyana. A grant in the sum of US$41,000 was approved by the United States Embassy in Guyana. However a cheque of US$10,000 was given to the City Treasurer’s Department. Subsequently, the Council had advertised via print media for qualified contractors to submit tenders.
Carlyle Benjamin was shortlisted since his proposal was deemed the most suitable. The Embassy of the United States communicated to the council that they were exploring other options to have the iconic clock restored. The Smithsonian Institute was contacted however the cost to restore the clock was quite exorbitant. Hence, the process of rehabilitation remained stalled.
Two meetings were held with a representative of the embassy indicating that due to the extensive work required by the clock the grant is to be forfeited.
Yours faithfully,
Debra Lewis
Public Relations Officer
Mayor and City Council
