The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party has raised alarm over the Government’s decision to assume control of several streets in Georgetown, warning that the move signals a broader erosion of local government authority and financial independence.
In a statement issued Thursday, WIN said it views “with deep concern the Government’s recent move to assume control over a number of city streets within Georgetown,” arguing that while the action has been framed as administrative, it raises serious questions about governance, transparency, and constitutional adherence.
The party contended that the decision reflects what it described as a pattern of centralisation, pointing to what it says is a lack of consultation with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). “The apparent absence of meaningful consultation… is not merely an oversight, it is indicative of a troubling pattern where local democratic institutions are sidelined,” the statement said.
WIN further argued that the move must be examined within the broader constitutional framework, noting that local government bodies derive their authority from the Constitution and should not be bypassed. “This issue… strikes at the heart of Guyana’s constitutional order,” the party stated, warning that “a democracy cannot function optimally when constitutionally established institutions are weakened or bypassed.”
Beyond governance concerns, the party also highlighted the potential economic fallout for the municipality. It pointed to key areas such as Vlissengen Road, which generate revenue through vending, events, and commercial activity, particularly during national celebrations like Mashramani. According to WIN, the takeover of these spaces could deprive the City Council of critical income, further limiting its ability to provide essential services.
“Taken together, these actions cannot be viewed in isolation,” the statement added, cautioning that they “point toward a broader reality, one where power, control, and revenue streams are systematically removed from local democratic institutions.”
The party is now calling for urgent engagement between central government and the municipality, urging a return to what it described as a more collaborative model of governance. “We therefore call on the Government to immediately engage in transparent dialogue with the Georgetown Municipality… and to recommit to a governance model that respects the autonomy, authority, and vital role of local government bodies,” WIN said.
The Government has not yet publicly responded to the concerns raised.
