Illegal constructions in Georgetown without approval highlighted
MEMBERS of the City Council yesterday drew attention to what was called “blatant and presumptuous” violations with regards to certain structures and buildings that are being erected in Georgetown without approved plans. One of them, Councillor Anthony Boyce, at a City Hall press conference, charged that City Engineer Gregory Erskine and building inspectors are encouraging the breaches.
Concerns have been mounting over a number of illegal constructions and a proposal, to have the City Engineer’s Department investigated, was even tabled at a statutory meeting last year.
“These violations will continue because the builders know exactly that they can offer something to these officials to have things done. I’m saying this without fear or favour. There are facts to substantiate this,” Boyce declared.
Citing examples of such illegalities, he spoke about erections ongoing at the former Central Garage, on Avenue of the Republic and “most presumptuous” at Fifth and Sixth Streets, where Tony’s Auto Spares is building.
About the last, Boyce said this establishment is infringing on the Council’s reserves and drainage. “I informed the engineer and others and, when we went there, it was nothing, it was just a joke. And the Council can do nothing about it. The builders are saying the Council has no tools to demolish the structures.”
“I sit on the City Works Committee and, even if a plan is not approved, the building goes up. They are encouraging blatant and lawless violations in the city,” he lamented.
The absence of the City Engineer and Town Clerk at many of the Council’s statutory and other meetings, in view of the controversial motion that was passed, seeking a thorough investigation of the department, is being deemed “most disrespectful” by councillors.
The department was accused of rampant corruption and, according to Councillor Patricia Chase-Green, who is now performing the duties of the Deputy Mayor, “the only time you hear about the City Engineer’s Department is when they are taking bribes all over the place.”
Following Boyce’s presentation, the Guyana Chronicle sought to find out if the Council has any plans to institute disciplinary actions against City Engineer Erskine, the builders or Town Clerk Yonnett Pluck.
Mayor Hamilton Green responded that the existing regulations allow disciplinary matters to go to a Local Government Commission (LGC) but he said: “Instead of appointing a commission, the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration gave those powers to the Minister. Further I say not.”
However, long before the PPP/C took office in 1992, there was no LGC and the then People’s National Congress (PNC) Minister exercised the same power over the municipality.
It is also noteworthy that Green was the Prime Minister when the PNC dissolved the LGC and allowed those powers to go to a minister.