CITY Hall on Saturday said it has pumped its money into cleaning the city and fixing key buildings and so was left broke, unable to pay workers their Independence month salaries, but hopes to meet salary obligations by Monday. “…the delay (in payment of salaries) was caused by a combination of factors, including extensive cleaning of the city and all of its local communities, non-payment of rates by certain (corporations), necessary and urgent repairs to municipal buildings, which facilitate vital administrative and operational services, a very narrow revenue base, and lack of valuation of properties within the city for more than two decades,” the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) said in a statement.
In a statement Saturday, the Council said that it “anticipates a full correction to this situation over the next forty-eight (48) hours.
The M&CC has called on all property-owners to ensure that they settle their accounts with the city urgently.
“Council needs every cent to push ahead with its work, in all sections of the city,” the M&CC declared.
The Council listed a number of projects which it said has gobbled its resources.
It said it cleaned drains and alleyways in: Lacytown; Bourda; Wortmanville; Werk- en- Rust; Agricola; Mc Doom; Houston; Meadow Bank; Campbellville; West Ruimveldt; North Ruimveldt; Albouystown; Charlestown; Alberttown; Queenstown; Atlanticville; Cummings Lodge; and Lodge.
Canals cleared were along Church Street; Princess Street; Sussex Street; Cane View Avenue; Downer Canal; North Road; and Homestretch Avenue.
Of sluices and pumps, those at the JP Santos, Princess Street and Muneshwers were restored.
The Council said that it has restored and is maintaining all avenues.
It cited too the cleaning and reshaping of the Merriman Mall area.
City Council also listed the provision of additional stalls in Bourda and La Penitence Markets; New Vendors depot at Merriman Mall; Provision of new site for Stabroek Market Square Vendors (Parliament View Mall); Reorganising of street-vending in Water Street.
Regarding solid waste management, the Council noted the removal of commercial dump sites, removing 1,100 tons of garbage. It has also launched a three-year solid waste management programme in schools and installed street bins across the city.
Of buildings, the City Engineers, Constabulary, and Sexton buildings were restored.
There were also works done to restore the Bourda and La Repentir cemeteries.
Works in progress were listed as the City Constabulary Training School; the Albouystown Health Centre and the Kitty Market
In addition, the Council said it continues to provide the following vital services: street- lighting; Municipal Markets; Municipal Abattoirs; Drains; Bridges; Garbage-Collection and disposal; Roads; Public Health and Environmental services; Day Care services; Law enforcement; and Building codes.
“Council continues to manage these works using its financial and other resources, influencing delays in us honouring our obligations to our workers and some of our contractors,” City Hall stated.