Just a few examples to make the point among those attending meetings of the Council. I recall how often the Mayor has begged, and also obtained a decision of full council to inform communities before the Council’s proposal to carry out works or projects in particular areas.

When the IDB funded project for Solid Waste was put in place, again, no effort by this officer, who, it appears, has the support of certain people in high places. We need not forget that in the height of the killings and alleged Police assault or phantom gang, Minister Gajraj recruited this gentleman to do Public Relations for the Guyana Police Force.

What is also fascinating is the role he has assumed to “bring citizens up to date on the work of the Commission of inquiry, albeit, “we are aware that the work is still in progress”;

Clearly, he is in the mind of the Commission, an interesting development.

His long desertion failed to deal with the fundamental issues, Money and Management, both woefully lacking.

He implied (he is in the mind of the Commission) after verbiage, “this platform has given the Commissioner insight into the functions and the operations of the Municipality, then comes the gem” it permitted him a clear picture of our way of thinking about our responsibilities, and understand our language and inter-relationship.

If one is to understand our language it suggests the unusual and intimate knowledge, he said it permitted him.

As a matter of interest, the Council has had many reports dealing with its challenges.

The Lynch Report,

The Liburd Report and the

Sandra Jones Report all done by highly qualified persons.

No new insight will help, unless we see the light of general Local Government reform and an accountable management team with the money to ease the stress of citizens, a local government commission in place.

The lengthy inquiry Commission is one latest example, the Auditor General pronounced on the behaviour of two senior officers who anywhere else would have been sent home a long time ago, but they say, different strokes for different folks.
MALCOLM DeFREITAS