By Lelon Saul- My attention was drawn to a Department of Public Information (DPI) article captioned, “AG calls on M&CC to discharge its statutory mandate.” I was somewhat taken aback by the source of the article; rather, expecting such views to emanate from the Minister of Local Government or someone so instructed by her. Instead, the view came from the ubiquitous Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, which left me somewhat bewildered. I am now convinced that the AG is on a smear campaign, designed to tarnish the image of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.
Constitutionally, the M&CC is mandated under the Municipal and District Act, Chapter 28:01 to execute several functions including waste management. However, the M&CC’s efficacy is adversely affected by inadequate finance and unnecessary interventions by the central government, challenges, of which, the Attorney General is fully aware.
Georgetown is 70 square kilometres, comprises a vast network of drains and roads and has an estimated population of over 200,000. Unfortunately, during last year (2023) our estimated budget was $2.6 billion. Even the uninitiated would scoff at this paltry sum, in juxtaposition with the vast resources needed to retain the tab of “Garden City.” The M&CC derives its largest sum of revenue from rates and taxes and only forty-seven per cent (47%) of property owners have honoured their obligations with the largest debtors being commercial property owners.
When one realizes that the M&CC’s inability to deliver quality services is not only impeded by private ratepayers but also, in large part, by the Central Government, the Attorney General’s nefarious objective becomes clearer. The estimated sum is somewhere around the tune of $1.7 billion. Moreover, the valuation for rates is based on assessments done in 1997. Consequently, the council’s ability to garner additional revenue under the general rates is difficult if not impossible. Pointedly, it requires the central government to produce a new valuation list. Did Mr. Nandlall’s advisors indicate this to him before he uttered those spurious contentions?
Should the Government and other delinquent ratepayers honour their obligations, this problem, if not disappearing like magic, will be comfortably under control and citizens would be better able to enjoy the obvious benefits. Simply put, the solution to paltry revenue requires that the government, in which Mr. Nandlall is ensconced, adopt a hands-off attitude toward the business of the M&CC.
Further, the Central Government should endeavour to take meaningful steps to produce a new valuation list while honouring the Fiscal Transfer Act. Notwithstanding, the council will pursue new revenue streams and we hope that the Central Government will authenticate its claims of wanting betterment for the city by being supportive of our proposals.
It would be remiss of me, not to mention the scant regard shown by the Central Government toward the municipal authority. We are kept in the dark concerning projects being executed in the city. Egregiously, we note the unilateral decision of the Central Government to give the green light for the construction of a hotel in Thomas Lands, in clear violation of the covenant of the original document of tenure and the city bylaws.
Such cavalier behaviour reinforces the Central Government’s disregard for the rule of law and blatant dismissal of local government thus stifling its developmental drive. The central government is bent on undermining the council through the deprivation of revenue, usurping of the council’s responsibilities, and unwavering unadulterated propaganda. The sordid reality seems to suggest that the Government officials, the likes of Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, are succeeding in the dispensation of news briefs, quite contradictory to their actions. Notwithstanding, Guyanese are not so naïve and, like the striking teachers, are prepared to confront the government and uncover its scurrilous utterances.
