The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has handed over a $30 million cheque to the Mayor and City Council to aid in the completion of its administration building.
At a ceremony held yesterday at the Minis-try’s boardroom, Minister Nigel Dharamlall and Minister within the Ministry, Anand Persaud handed over the cheque to Oscar Clarke, Chairman of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s Finance Committee.
The government had previously indicated its intention for the subvention to be used for the completion of the new administration building, which is expected to house the administrative staff who are presently occupying a dilapidated section of the historic City Hall building.
In addition to the $30 million subvention, the council has agreed to add $50 million for the completion of the building.
The council is hoping to have the building completed by the end of the year as City Hall is visibly falling apart.
In a statement shared on the Ministry’s Facebook page, both Dharamlall and Persaud stressed the need for funds to be handled in a transparent and accountable manner and the importance of tenders being publicly procured.
Dharamlall further expressed his disappointment at what he said was the financial mismanagement of the city and the unwillingness of Mayor Ubraj Narine “to provide quality leadership which will incur devastating effects on the city.”
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment towards the beautification of the city and the restoration of all historic buildings in the country.
Dharamlall previously announced during his contribution to the national budget debate in the National Assembly that a sum of $100 million has been allocated for the restoration of the City Hall building. He noted that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration is determined to restore the historic building and works will commence this year.
