Minister of Local Government Priya Manickchand has committed to a comprehensive plan to “rescue” Georgetown and restore its former glory, despite the City Council’s decision to boycott a crucial meeting. The boycott, led by Mayor Alfred Mentore and APNU Councillors, followed a prior engagement between the Minister and the Mayor regarding the city’s waste management crisis.
The summoned meeting aimed to address pressing issues but deteriorated into a blame game on social media, leading to the Mayor’s absence. However, the Town Clerk, City Engineer, and Solid Waste Director attended, along with PPP/C Councillors. During the meeting, Manickchand accused the Mayor of inconsistency regarding prior agreements and reiterated her readiness to collaborate with the Council for the benefit of the city’s residents.
“We can’t collaborate with ourselves; thus, we will consult with the citizens to determine how central government can assist Georgetown,” Manickchand stated. Her plan includes cleaning initiatives, restoring green spaces, and launching public awareness campaigns to combat pollution.
The Minister highlighted ongoing government projects in the city, noting that road construction and drainage maintenance have been executed by the Ministry of Public Works and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, rather than the City Council. She stressed that the primary responsibility of the Municipal and City Council (M&CC) is to manage waste, a task she claims they have failed to execute adequately.
In response, Mayor Mentore expressed his belief that issues related to waste management should first be addressed by the Council, leading him to convene a special meeting to formulate proposals before reporting back to the Minister. He also expressed concerns that contractors hired by the City may be deliberately hindering waste collection efforts to undermine the Council’s reputation.
While some contractors, like Puran Brothers Inc., have been meeting their waste collection obligations, others, such as Cevons Waste Management and Guyana Waste Solutions Inc., have reportedly been falling short. Mayor Mentore warned that if the situation does not improve, the Council may have to terminate contracts with underperforming companies.
As tensions continue between the Minister and the City Council, the future of Georgetown’s waste management and revitalization efforts remain uncertain.
