SPECIAL congratulations and appreciation need to be proffered to the City Council of Georgetown for making it possible to pull down those dangerous and derelict buildings. These structures are not only dangerous to people occupying them, but also neighbours and passers-by.  If they collapse, flying zinc sheets could decapitate people and /or seriously maim them, as well as cause possible destruction to vehicles.

Further still, they create a disgraceful eyesore, and cause the management of the City to appear inactive and even as if they are in a prolonged slumber.  It is good the powerful giant awakes and will move to bring a semblance of respect and order in our city. 

I have noticed a number of eyesores dangerous to human lives in Queen Street (continuation of Alexander Street from David Street), Kitty, and another one in David and Lamaha Streets.  Several families are living in these dilapidated structures, with numerous children.  It amazes me how these people could live in these dangerous structures with so many children.  The buildings are on the ground, twisted and are a major fire hazard to themselves and to neighbours’ lives and properties, especially in the event of fire.  Others stand on stilts, threatening to fall, with old zinc sheets covering the windows.  The wood is nice and aged for a good fire to erupt through the slightest mistake.

Why is this situation allowed to exist in our country?  The Government of this country has been giving out house lots by the tens of thousands to all and any Guyanese who take the time to apply, with little expense to cover processing.  Complete freeness causes people to be docile and unambitious.    I am amazed that they even give lots to single and youthful Guyanese, not merely families or married people or single mothers/parents, but any Guyanese of age.    This is historic in the Caribbean region, and maybe even in the world.

Let them go and get their lands, and maybe the government, with the City’s input, can help to fast track the processing, and in the meantime pull down these structures which make Guyana look bad in the eyes of visitors, diplomats, and so on.  It is unfair to our country and our Government, which has tried unceasingly to provide lots of land and low-cost mortgages to persons of all levels in the Guyanese society.