Dear Editor,
On August 26th, at the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown’s (M&CC) Statutory meeting, a ridiculous, selfish, and shameful institutional rate policy for political parties was bullied through the approval process.
The continuous cry of being cash-strapped and inadequately supported by the central government, compounded by defaulting ratepayers, has always surfaced when the question of why the M&CC is failing to execute its mandate arises. Monday’s decision proved to every single citizen of Georgetown, and by extension Guyana, that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
It is hypocritical for a political party to demand that every citizen pay their rates and taxes, even resorting to parate execution for non-compliance, while having the audacity to institute a policy that allows political parties to pay a mere 25% of their original dues all the while continuing to benefit from the only core service provided, which is garbage collection, albeit in an inconsistent manner.
As a Councillor, I have always held a clear and open mind on any idea or suggestion proposed by my fellow Councillors, as I genuinely believe in the necessity of deliberation and diverse opinions. However, the welfare of all citizens must be the top priority. Hence, while this matter was brought before us by the Mayor, Mr. Mentore, as a request from the PNC’s coalition partner, Alliance for Change, it was decided that the matter would be further discussed, but outstanding rates must be duly settled.
I wish to make it abundantly clear that PPP/C Councillors on Monday, the 26th, disagreed strongly and stated all of the reasons why, including seeing this document as self-centered, not in the best interest of citizens, an abuse of power, hypocritical, among others, and even pleaded with our fellow Councillors while still pointing out many of the deficiencies in the document.
It is clear now that the PNC-led council, headed by Mr. Mentore, always had ulterior motives, which were exposed by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his weekly press conference, revealing an enormous amount of money owed to the M&CC by the PNC on a number of their properties, which includes $6.7 billion on its Congress Place property alone.
Citizens of Georgetown, and by extension Guyana, should take the opportunity to examine the significance of what unfolded right before our eyes. It’s no secret what the agenda of the leadership of this PNC-led council is, but what I can promise, as a PPP/C Councillor, is that we will continue to fight and advocate for the betterment of Georgetown.
Sincerely,
Steven Jacobs, Councillor
Mayor and City Council of the City
of Georgetown