Mayor Green again laments inadequate revenue base
GEORGETOWN Mayor Hamilton Green has again pointed to the need for the municipality to broaden its revenue base, so that it will not find itself under pressure, constantly, to meet its financial obligations.
In invited comments on the telephone recently, he told the Guyana Chronicle that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is doing its best, in the present circumstances, when it comes to the issue of outstanding payments to garbage contractors.
Mr. Green said, since 1994, the M&CC indicated that its means of garnering revenue were limited and that more are needed.
He, again, lamented that a lottery was, initially, his idea but, when he suggested it, he was told, by the relevant authorities, that it could not be done.
Green said a proposal to convert the Le Repentir dump site into a facility that can produce electricity was also turned down by the authorities, who claimed that it was not feasible and that the Government preferred to concentrate on hydropower.
He said the M&CC also has to cope with the sloth of the Courts responsible for prosecuting those who do not pay their taxes on time and the municipality found itself under recent pressure to pay garbage collectors and staff, who threatened, through Guyana Labour Union (GLU), to take strike action if not paid.
Green said, following that threat, the municipal employees received their salaries but garbage contractors were persuaded by Councillors and Head of the Implementation Committee, Mr. Keith Burrowes, to wait a few more weeks for their money.
Yesterday, a spokesman for one contactor, Puran Brothers Disposal Services, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the company received 50 per cent of the outstanding payment for January.
The full sum due for February was paid but what is owed for March and April is still owed, he said.
According to him, one sum was handed over last week and another on Monday, with approximately $13M owing for March, April and a part of May.