Dear Editor
IT is very unfortunate when some politicians in their quest for power continue in their efforts to create an entirely new understanding of the civic responsibilities of citizens, descend to egregious means and immoral distortions, that are intended to protect political support bases.

It is generally acknowledged that politicians in general are often creatures of particular interest groups, and that it is their right to support and lobby on their behalf. It is however expected that whatever representations are made, that these will be fair and just; they should not be disadvantageous to other lesser-placed groups, or designed to jeopardise the general well-being of citizens within the particular community, or state in general.

In pre -2018 Local Government Elections comments, a certain PPP/C -elected councillor of the 2016 M&CC expressed the view that there was no need to increase rates and taxes that were currently being paid by city businesses and domestic residences. He opined that there were other means of garnering revenue, but did not explain what these were.

This was undoubtedly his political party’s position, that became official as one of the PPP/C’s LGE platforms, by being the first in a page of stated promises, in Stabroek News: Nov. 11th, pg. 7c,”NO NEW TAXES” of its Weekend Magazine supplement.

This was indeed politicking, playing to especially the party’s support base in the Georgetown municipality, but also in others where there were PPP/C supporters. But it was a declaration that was/is wholly incredulous and irrational, as well as totally reckless; for not even considering the dire financial circumstances of the Georgetown municipality, in addition to the shameful, physical environment of other municipalities and their communities, all because of bad revenue collection, or lack thereof.

No such promise, politicking or not for electoral support, is enlightened, or in the best interest of any municipality that has to offer services to its citizens of a best-practice kind. One can only conclude that there must have been a concerted plan among sections of the city not to honour their civic obligations, thus the billions still due to the city.

As a result, we would have all lived through the years of a city that gradually descended to being degraded and foul-smelling as a result of garbage mounds; indiscriminate dumping of garbage by even some of the same indebted business houses; silted drains and alleyways; weed-filled canals, and parapets that became mini-jungles, to describe a city environment that attracted biting sarcasm and other uncomplimentary remarks about its insalubrious state.

It was even ironic that a then serving PPP/C Minister of Local Government, remarked that he had hoped for an epidemic to occur! But this, adding insult to injury, was a stark example of the former administration’s approach to maintenance of the nation’s principal city, and its first major port of entry and to matters of local government in general. The descent of Le Repentir Cemetery into the grappling cover of a canopied forest is perhaps the masthead of what had befallen the nation’s capital, because of the unpaid billions in revenue.

Certainly, given the very disturbing details that have been arising out of the Justice Kennard Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of City Hall’s administration, there is a body of opinion that is of the view that had more of the owed revenue been actually paid into the coffers of the city, it would have been mismanaged. We have so often in this column, stated quite clearly that there are indeed serious managerial issues at the M&CC which must be properly settled by its senior personnel. However, it has also been recorded that the city’s problems are no excuse of any type for citizens to cease paying their taxes, or outstanding sums. For in accordance with the law, they are still indebted and can be prosecuted for such a breach.

It is reminded that a properly maintained municipality can only become a reality with paid-up revenues coming from its citizens in its various lawfully prescribed forms. Thus, for the PPP/C to advocate no new taxes smacks of attempts to advocate a free pass for those newly built massive structures and other extensions into bigger residences, in terms of the correct levels of taxation according to building structure. There are citizens of lesser means who honour their obligations punctiliously, in keeping with city stipulations. It is only right that the other category be expected to do the same. This will be social justice, and not evasion of civic responsibilities as plainly advocated by the PPP/C in its recent campaign ad.

Regards
Dillon Goring