–President Ali says

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, has said that an analysis needs to be done on how to rebuild, restructure, and re-strategize the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) into an institution that caters for the needs of the people.

During an impromptu community outreach in Kitty, dozens of residents flocked President Ali to inform him of the deplorable state of the area.
President Ali remarked: “One thing about good countries and democracy is that when people fail you, the institutions never fail you and we [need to] build our institutions in such a way that the institutions never fail.”

He added: “And that is what we have to look at, how do we ensure that the institution of the City Council is rebuilt, restructured and reorganized, re-strategized, realigned, to the needs of the people.”

Dr Ali also pointed out how engaged the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillors are with the citizens.

“I hope that they [APNU Councillors] take an example from the work that our councillors are doing and to work the way they’re working,” the Head of State underscored.
He further said that he has expressed his views on the APNU-controlled City council countless times and it is now up to the people to decide.

“… When we went to the Local Government Elections, we explained the consequences of not having good leadership, so this is in the hands of people. Sometimes we have to stop speaking and let the work continue… I hope people are seeing…,” President Ali said while adding that he is hoping that Guyanese have opened their eyes and recognise the reality.

But concerning the issues that are plaguing the community, poor drainage and irrigation stood out, as this was a common nuisance in the area.

From drains covered in tall grass to clogged alleyways being used as dumpsites, the President, when he got a deeper insight into how neglected the community really is, expressed much disgust with the City Council.

“What is city hall really doing?” he asked after visiting one of the alleyways and being told that there are others that are in worst conditions.

There are approximately 15 alleyways which are in a deplorable state and not being cleaned. This is a responsibility of the M&CC. Nevertheless, the Head-of State remarked that initiatives will be taken to fix these issues.

“In front, to avoid people from going and dump garbage, we’ll put a big grilled gate with a padlock,” the Head of State said.