M&CC launches website to provide easier access to its services
The homepage of the M&CC’s website
The homepage of the M&CC’s website

IN a digital age when services are easily accessible on the world wide web, the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown has launched a website, which is intended to increase and provide easier access to the services it offers.

Speaking at Monday’s launch of the website at the Kitty Market, Mayor Ubraj Narine said that the website, which can be accessed at www.mccgt.com, will serve as a hub for information about the council’s work.

The website comes against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many organisations to resort to virtual platforms in order to limit interaction of people, while still ensuring that business continues and services are delivered.

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, navigating the website at Monday’s launch

“As the council continues to adopt [sic] to the changes of development in a rapid growing economy, we must do our part to ensure that all stakeholders are a part of the process and are adequately informed and assisted as they conduct their business,” Narine said.

The Georgetown Mayor highlighted that through the website, the public can be briefed on efforts of councillors and the administration of City Hall. Additionally, it will ensure that the public is engaged on matters of importance.

“One of the best examples of democracy is equal access to information. As a democratic institution, we are proud to uphold this principle by fulfilling our responsibilities to the citizens of our city and nation,” he said.

With the website being launched and the council moving in a tech-savvy direction, Narine expressed his desire for a smartphone app to be developed to feature the services accessible on the website. He encouraged all citizens to use the website.

The easy-to-navigate website features a portal for citizens to access their rates and taxes information, forms for various applications, information about City Hall, including a historical overview, organisational chart, departments, committees, councillors, a media centre, and a frequently asked questions section.

The decision to create a website was made in 2020 following a recommendation from the council’s Informational Technology Committee. The initiative was spearheaded by councillor Eon Bollers and created free of cost with the assistance of Aggrey Marsh and others.

Bollers said that in any modern organisation, a website is an essential tool and this was one of the reasons for the project. He opined that one of the most useful tools featured on the website is the ability to access tax information, which was something he was adamant about including.

“Instead of going physically to City Hall to get your tax information, you can just get it by simply clicking, and I know that there are a lot of overseas Guyanese that [sic] would like to know that information also,” he said.

While the website does not allow for the direct payment of rates and taxes, Bollers reminded the public that persons can pay those dues using Mobile Money Guyana, which also negates the need to visit City Hall.

Also speaking at the launching ceremony was interim Town Clerk Candace Nelson, who in lauding the initiative noted that the website will offer a dynamic way of doing business to the citizens of the Georgetown municipality.

“It is prevalent that our city and our country as a whole is [sic] on the verge of rapid development, and as such with the presence of the COVID-19 virus and the pandemic being faced by our country, it is necessary to change the way that we do business,” she said.

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