Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine has lambasted the central government for what he described as its rush to do municipal works in different areas, to give the impression to the public that the city council is incapable of honouring its statutory obligations.
In a press statement issued on Saturday last, Narine said the government’s actions have affected the welfare and well-being of citizens, communities and the city as a whole. He said the central government has shown zero regard for the importance of local government and local democratic organs when in fact these are the pillars on which any well-intentioned government “would build its democratic credentials and enhance its practice of good governance”.
Pointing out that the government has been doing all within its power to show the city council in a bad light, he highlighted its undertaking of municipal works including road construction and repairs, desilting drainage and associate appurtenances, community bridges, cleaning parapets, and repairs to recreational facilities. All of this is being done with no input from the city council. However, he stated, the government has been making very serious mistakes and missteps that are negatively affecting lives, and compromising the value of properties of residents in the city. The release added that “although the council is very much appreciative for the assistance” the central government should follow the necessary protocols.
“…We could not encourage the government to operate as if there is no council, or laws, by-laws and regulations governing the management of the nation’s capital. The government is impinging on the authority and powers of the council by overreaching into … the area administered by the council,” the statement quoted the mayor as saying.
The issue at the Princes Street sluice, which Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha referenced as “faulty work” done by a contractor, was cited as one act of central government’s unacceptable behaviour. The problem had resulted in flooding in Charlestown, Albouystown, and other contiguous communities.
The mayor said he subsequently heard that Mustapha, and not the City Engineer, had inspected the sluice and determined that the cause of the flooding was shoddy work done by a company called Square Commodities, which had been contracted to replace the sluice door. Although Mustapha said that the contract had been awarded by way of a transparent process, neither the mayor nor the city council was involved or informed. Narine noted that they only learned of it after the flooding occurred, despite the fact that it is a council facility.
“It is wrong and unfair, not only to the council but also to all citizens of Georgetown. If the government really wanted to help, then its approach would have been vastly different from what was obtained in this and similar situations,” the release quoted the mayor as saying.
It added that the council is the body that possesses institutional knowledge about the drainage system and roads in Georgetown, but the government and its operatives have been “sidelining the council and pouring money into the pockets of its friends who have little to no experience and knowledge in dealing with the vital municipal facilities”.
In the statement, Narine also mentioned that roads were being constructed and repaired, and quickly showing signs of deterioration. “In addition, it does appear that the construction of certain roads is compromising drainage in different sections,” the mayor said. “Imagine the government has constructed a road – Nelson Mandela Avenue to Diamond – without any consultation with the council. The road runs through the city and has implications for a number of communities in the city, but the municipality was never invited to participate in the planning and execution stages of that project.
Further, he pointed to the government’s attempt to establish parking lots, adding that the city has applied for an injunction against that project. It has also been building new walkways and bridges, and redesigning avenues, the statement said. The mayor warned that there were “certain environmental problems” associated with the government’s redesign of avenues.
He reminded the central government that what it really needed to do was to pay its fair share of taxes and award the city with subventions as decreed. “… We seek respect, fairness and that they respect the Constitution of the Council. In 2023, we would neither accept nor tolerate government’s unprincipled behaviour and attitudes towards the Georgetown City Council,” the statement quoted the mayor as saying. He added that while detractors would point to the current condition of the city, the council’s efforts to do better have been stymied by the government.
As examples, he noted that the council was still awaiting an “appropriate response” from the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development on the by-laws on littering. In addition, it was yet to engage the government on new valuation of properties.
Stressing that the council has statutory responsibility for the city facilities the government was attempting to repair, remove, change or rebuild, the mayor’s statement said the Municipal and District Councils Act was “clear and we are sure about our responsibilities, duties and powers. These things we are not willing to compromise”.