…Min. Bulkan urges City Council to make a difference this time around

By Telesha Ramnarine

MINISTER of Communities Ronald Bulkan on Monday addressed the statutory meeting of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), urging that the body hit the “reset” button when it comes to caring for the affairs of the city.

The new council, with a lifespan of roughly 35 months, was urged to take seriously this time around, President David Granger’s recommendation to establish a national capital planning commission.

The previous council had paid no attention to the suggestion the president made three years ago. “His Excellency’s suggestion went unheeded, but now is not the time for us to seek to apportion blame; rather, an opportunity for us to hit the reset button and to accept His Excellency’s recommendation. Today’s inauguration of this new council presents a great opportunity to hit the rest button in the way in which the city is governed,” Bulkan urged.

Notwithstanding the challenges, the minister pointed out that no amount of political spin and distortion could denigrate the transformation which have taken place in the last three and a half years with the restoration of local democracy by the current administration.
“President Granger has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the restoration of democracy after decades of neglect. It was under his leadership…that the trajectory of governance shifted,” Bulkan noted, adding, “The elections of November 12…was the first time in our post-independence history, that successive local government elections were held as legally due.”

The minister called on each councillor to commit themselves to proper management of the city, while stressing that such management is pivotal to the nation’s development. “This transformation will only be possible if each of you commit yourself to ensuring the proper management of this city. Not placing any pressure on you, but all eyes are not only on the mayor but on the entire council as to how it will tackle the age-old problems that continue to beset our city.”

Government’s achievements, through strategic efforts to restore functionality to the system of local government, are unprecedented in Guyana’s post independent history, Bulkan observed. “The City of Georgetown has had its challenges, but there are definitely successes that we can boast of. The city has begun the herculean task of rising from its once denigrated status of ‘garbage city’, to retain its former glory. I firmly believe that the city is poised for even further transformation.”

However, the council must continue to confront challenges such as illegal vending and its proliferation, drainage, security, solid waste management, squatting on municipal reserves, zoning, among others. “Grappling with these issues and satisfying the expectation of citizens is not an easy task given the limited financial resources that I believe are at your disposal. Undertaking this herculean task would necessitate the crafting of a well-researched and reasoned plan that will prioritise and synchronise activities of the council, thereby assisting with the efficient usage of already-limited resources.”

Bulkan pointed out that an orderly city demands “shrewd and inclusive planning” and that development should not be done in an ad-hoc manner, but that each bit that is done should represent a larger plan and a larger goal.

INVESTMENT FRIENDLY

The M&CC was urged to reconnect with citizens, businesses and all stakeholders. “A re-think of business relations with the business community should also be pursued,” he said.
The Ministry of Communities as such stands ready to facilitate a resuscitation of the tripartite committee established to promote dialog between the council and the private sector. “The council should seek to ensure an investment-friendly climate by taking steps to reduce unnecessary delays in the issuance of building permits, etc.”

Minister Bulkan further urged the councillors to keep an eye on those who are taking the lead. “The work of the entire council is brought into disrepute in the absence of checks and balances. Strict monitoring will ensure value for money, accountability and transparency. Citizens must not only hear of an achievement…but more importantly, the value of each expenditure undertaken must be felt by the ordinary person.”

He said his ministry’s audit department will liaise with council to ensure that going forward, the municipality’s account is audited yearly.

Central government, Bulkan expressed, is committed to respecting the autonomy of all local democratic organs. “This policy of autonomy must be within a framework that promotes good governance. The ministry will endeavor with relevant stakeholders to craft a code of conduct for administrative officials such as town clerks; fine tune procurement procedures; guidelines for treating with council’s assets.

The town council was established in 1843 and was the seat of government for the colonial administrations.