…highlights extensive support Gov’t has given to Georgetown
AT the re-commissioning of the Kitty pump station on Sunday last, President Bharrat Jagdeo stressed that Government has always had the best interest of the city of Georgetown and its residents at the centre of its policies, and will continue to do so.

Mayor Hamilton Green

The President was at the time responding to earlier comments by Mayor Hamilton Green who had stated that Government has failed to work with the City Council in the past, and called for cooperation between the two parties.

However, the President was keen to point out that these comments lacked merit.

He noted that over $10B has been spent to finance road developments within the municipality over the years, and currently US$11M is being spent on a new dump site at Haag Bosch which will primarily service Georgetown.

The Head of State also referred to the drainage works that Government has undertaken on behalf of the City Council, stating: “No matter what proposals the city puts up, it will not match up to the investments of Central Government.”

“In almost every sphere that the city has been involved in, in improving the lives of the citizens of Georgetown in particular, the Central Government has been there supporting all along.”

President Bharrat Jagdeo

Another point that he made was the lack of accountability and transparency with which the City Council has been plagued over the years.

Unlike the Government which has to prepare the accounts for the country and place them before the National Assembly for scrutiny, the President said the City Council has faced severe difficulties in explaining to the public what it does with the resources it collects and controls.

“The City Council still has some real troublesome issues of accountability so when you want greater responsibility for collecting revenue, you have to also match that with greater responsibility for accounting for revenue,” he highlighted.

Despite this, the President maintained that his Administration remains committed to working with the City Council.

“We will continue to assist in any way that we can, not because I am pleased with the functioning of everything, but because I recognize that the citizens of this country and the city, they deserve better,” the President said.

In the end, President Jagdeo indicated that political affiliations should play no part in the management of the city and the relationship between the City Council and Central Government.

“I said it many, many times, that I am Guyanese before I am PPP (People’s Progressive Party) and if there is anything in my party that conflicts with the national interest, I will take the national interests.”