REITERATING that much was done to bring flood relief to the citizenry of New Amsterdam, Mayor Kirt Wynter noted that “the task is an uphill one, with much more to be done,” as he marked 100 day in office last Saturday.Wynter, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Chronicle, used the opportunity to call on New Amsterdamers to support the Council’s initiatives by giving their full cooperation and assistance by clearing their immediate surroundings, inclusive of the front drains, which would allow the township to return to its former glory.

“We are off to a good start, but I am not satisfied,” Wynter said.  “I am proud of what we have achieved. The town had been neglected. We have focused on the drainage system, as the drains were heavily. We managed to clear the main drainage. The water now recedes faster after heavy rainfall. I am pleased but still not satisfied.”
“There was a lack of machinery, finance and human resources — we found it was somewhat challenging. But with the support of private businesses and citizens there has been relief, especially in the vicinity of the Berbice High Court and State House, along with Vryman’s Erven, Bermine Housing Scheme and Tucber Park areas.”
“Flood relief is yet to be achieved in Stanleytown as there is heavy siltation at Lot 51 outfall which drains the Republic Road Canal, and a similar situation is faced at the Old Smokey outfall which is responsible for drainage along Strand Road and Philadelphia Street. Both kokers have rotting doors which result in seepage,” the Mayor said.
“Apart from that we have commenced breaking illegal parapets and pavements, which businesses have constructed along Strand Road on the Government reserve.  It is important that we access the drainage system which was filled with sand used during a construction exercise. There are instances where businesses have removed their property lines over the interlock drains. They have to stop such practices in order for the township to have an efficient drainage system,” he emphasised.
SANITATION
“Currently the Council is facing a challenge of offering an efficient service of garbage collection, due to an electronic glitch with the garbage dumpster. However, we have acquired a tractor and trailer along with some bins, which are currently utilised, and we are optimistic that two additional trucks will be garnered, with one being sourced and modified to aid in garbage disposal, after we would have received our $16M subvention. The additional vehicles will assist residents in the Glasgow New Housing Scheme and the East Bank areas which are under the watchful eyes of the municipality, along with some of the wards in central New Amsterdam.”
During the period under review, the Mayor, accompanied by the town’s Health Inspector and other municipal officials, made visits  to all the eating houses/restaurants and caterers in the town, resulting in the temporary closure of two Chinese restaurants. However, routine inspections are being undertaken on a quarterly basis.
Commenting on the sewage disposal of the recently opened ‘Eclipse’, an entertainment business in the township, the Mayor said that strict adherence to the building code was observed.
However, with several complaints being made by nearby residents, the health and building inspector is expected to revisit the location shortly.
CATTLE IMPOUNDING
Motorists and road users have been relieved by the absence of animals on the roadway, mindful that the presence of cattle and other domesticated animals have resulted in the loss of life and property.
“This is a town and we cannot tolerate cattle along the roadway, but in the meanwhile we have found an alternative.”
During the interview, the Mayor urged cattle owners to alleviate their burden of paying high impounding fees by keeping their animals away from the main thoroughfare.
“I am aware that’s it’s their livelihood. So we have encouraged them to temporarily curtail the movement of the animals to designated areas, north of the National Insurance Scheme and the Mayor and Town Council Housing Scheme, which have idle lands that can facilitate grazing grounds for the animals.”
HOUSING
On the issue of housing, the Mayor revealed that the land previously designated to be an Industrial Site at Savannah Park will soon be developed into house lots which will be sold to citizens.
Further, he said, about one hundred additional lands will be bought from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to facilitate additional housing, manufacturing, and farming and pasture lands for cattle.
And addressing concerns of lack of industries and factories which would generate employment for the youthful citizens, he said “to benefit from manufacturing, we have to have a deep water harbour to lower the cost in transportation to other parts of the country or to export. However, the housing initiative is being geared to bring short-term employment for skilled personnel.
While many citizens have been expressing satisfaction with the works undertaken by the new Council, the Mayor was not without condemnation as he was forced to lodge a complaint at Central Police Station after his family was threatened. The threat was as a result of the clearance of the Government reserve at the Smythfield and Angoy’s Avenue junction.
AMNESTY
During the month of September, all property owners will benefit from an amnesty that will see a waiver of 50 per cent of interest due on taxes owed.
“The councillors wanted to move immediately to the courts [law] to recover monies owed, but we have agreed to have an amnesty during the town’s anniversary month. Failing to adhere to the offer, the Council has no other alternative but to move to the court to recover the monies which will assist in developing the township,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, another initiative by the Council is the nutritional enhancement breakfast programme for pensioners as they collect their Old Age pension on July 1.
The New Amsterdam Council consists of Mayor Kirt Wynter, Deputy Mayor Elect Winifred Haywood, fellow APNU/AFC councillors Kirt Fraser, Compton Grant, Sheenta Lambert, Polliann Shultz, Angelique Springer, Busta Wright, George Tucker, Eusi Smith, William Moore and Patricia Lynch. The PPP Councillors are Sewdat Singh and Elijah Timmers.