Fellow citizens, when one thinks of the Georgetown Municipal Council, the picture that usually comes to mind is that of the iconic City Hall Building. While that is understandable, the fact is that the Council serves the people of Georgetown by operating in several buildings and structures inside the municipal compound.
In 2020 – having settled into my job as mayor – I made a comprehensive and thorough tour of all the facilities in the municipal compound. To put it mildly, I was disappointed. Many of the structures were in a sad state of disrepair. In fact, many of them were unsafe.
By the end of my tour I had made a decision that all the structures would be renovated during my tenure.
Today, I am happy to report to you that those renovations, which started in 2021, are rapidly proceeding.
The City Constabulary Building has been fully and completely renovated. Staff and visitors may now feel comfortable and safe. Renovations are also completed at the Solid Waste Building.
Rehabilitation of the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre is nearly finished, and work will start soon on the City Engineer Building.
My fellow Citizens, I am quite pleased with our achievements. You see, your Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has managed to do all of this excellent work in spite of the fact that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime continues to do everything it can to stifle, stagnate, and squeeze the City Council. But I promise you that the M&CC will continue to fight against the tyranny of the PPP, and we will prevail.
Citizens, as you can clearly see, the M&CC has the will and the determination to work in the interest of the people of Georgetown. Can you imagine what the Council would be able to do if we had the cooperation of the central government? Can you fathom what the municipality could achieve if the PPP stopped practicing its ugly discriminatory politics and instead, worked hand in hand with the Council?
The Vision of this council is to provide the needs of Our capital City which includes; Urban Development Strategies, Modern Infrastructure such as the markets, cemetary, drainage, abattoir, roads, revetments, lights, ports and many more.
The PPP government knows about the needs of the people of Georgetown, but the regime refuses to sit at a round table with the Council to discuss those problems. Instead, the PPP regime is very much willing to meet with foreigners to talk about how to make more money to line the pockets of officials.
My fellow Citizens, if our country had a fair and impartial government, Georgetown would be a far better place. If Guyana had a good government your Mayor and City Council would be able to build a modern capital city that we all deserve.
It is my hope; indeed, it is my belief that one day – for the benefit of our children – we will have a democratic and even-handed Central Government which cares about the welfare of our citizens.
