THE statements attributed to Mayor Patricia Chase-Green that City Hall will be moving to close all businesses at 16:30hrs each day, and on Sundays and holidays, are false and erroneous. Mayor Green in a statement on Wednesday said, “This is erroneous and is a calculated attempt to disrupt the flow business in the city.”
She said it was brought to her attention that a certain section of the media (Guyana Times and Inewsguyana.com) has been falsely reporting the above-mentioned statements, attributing them to her.
She clarified that at a meeting with vendors and stallholders on February 17, a vendor raised a concern about long opening hours of some businesses and further observed that businesses should be closed per the time stipulated by the laws, so that vendors can have the opportunity to ply their trade and make a living.
According to the mayor, in response she stated that the Council is responsible for regulating the opening and closing hours of the five municipal markets, which are stipulated in the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01.
She further noted that the opening and closing hours of other businesses fall under the portfolio of a ministry and offered to forward the concern highlighted by the vendor.
“During that meeting, no promise was made by Her Worship or any other officer of the Council to regulate opening and closing hours of businesses in the city of Georgetown. The Council views this misinformation as a part of a propaganda started some time ago by persons who have a hidden agenda to hinder the growth and development of the city.

“The Mayor and City Council wishes to assure all citizens that it is committed to developing an enabling environment for business development and the prosperity of the city,” the statement concluded.