By Mia Anthony
Residents have been complaining about the amount of time it takes for them to pay rates and taxes and transact other business at the Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) office.
In an attempt to gain greater insight into the issue, Stabroek News conducted an observation exercise yesterday, and saw that citizens had to wait for some 30 minutes to an hour before being able to complete their rates and taxes transaction.
Persons could be heard mumbling, complaining about the long wait. It was also observed that there was no system in place to let persons know their position in the line.
Stabroek News spoke to a few individuals who had to wait for at least 30 minutes before being able to transact their business and they relayed their frustrations.
“I have been here since nine this morning and had to wait here close to an hour; that is why I paid for two years in advance because year go year come, it is the same stupidness,” one person said.
Although there were three cashier booths, only two were in operation, with a crowd of some 30 persons awaiting service. The unrest grew as a result of the cashiers taking quite some time to complete transactions.
Also, one cashier would leave their booth for a period of time, and upon their return, the other would leave and this process would be alternated, resulting in the inevitable slowing of the process.
“Some people are paying for nine persons at once; this is madness; the guy in front of me has been standing there for the last 40 minutes I have to go back to work. This nonsense has to stop,” a disgruntled person was heard to say.
Another person was seen getting into an argument with a senior citizen over their position in the line, with many fretting that their tight schedules would result in them losing money. Senior citizens, meanwhile could be heard vehemently protesting at the time they were being made to wait. “They set us back 50 years with this process; this is not even a proper waiting area, it is hot, I am a senior citizen, and this is not healthy for me to be out here in this heat.”
One person related that she got her business completed quickly, but noted that what usually causes the holdup is persons who are paying for several accounts at one time.
Stabroek News contacted Mayor Alfred Mentore and told him of its observations. The Mayor expressed surprise and promised to look into the matter. “We have another cashier upstairs but I will check to ensure that what happened does not reoccur,” he said.
