ISSUES relating to the payment of general rates by the business community, particularly those who are members of Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); such as the need to manage the flow of traffic and building codes were among those raised during a recent meeting of officials of the GCCI and the Mayor and City Council.
It was the second discussion by the two sides, and representing the M&CC were Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine, Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore, Town Clerk Sharon Harry- Munroe, and other senior officers of the council. Representing the GCCI were President Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, Director Richard Rambarran and other members.
The meeting is a follow-up from the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Council and GCCI, with the aim of enhancing their relationship, issues relating to the development of the City of Georgetown, and the need to address the strengthening of security, particularly around the Stabroek Market and its immediate environ.
Mentore restated at the meeting, that Council will be instituting a new system to improve the process as it relates to building plans, in an effort to minimise the waiting time by applicants for the such documents to be approved.
As it relates to the issue of market security, Chief Constable Andrew Foo disclosed that the City Constabulary is working with the Joint Services to improve the safety of the citizens. The restoration of City Hall is of importance as agreed on by both sides, and the need to preserve and restore this historic edifice is of paramount importance.
With the Council is in the process of launching a City Hall Restoration Fund, Director of Solid Waste Management Walter Narine emphasised the need for more participation from the business community/sector, in the Council’s monthly clean-up exercises. Deygoo-Boyer pledged the commitment of the GCCI as being a part of the initiative. It was agreed that the two sides will meet monthly to ensure that the plans and projects discussed are implemented, while the mayor reiterated that the Council must collaborate with other stakeholders to advance the interest of the city.
