Mayor of Georgetown Alfred Mentore is drawing a firm line in the sand, vowing to take the Central Government all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) if necessary, as he pushes back against what he describes as a “hostile takeover” of city assets.
The Mayor’s declaration comes in response to signals from Attorney General Anil Nandlall that the Government intends not only to assume control of municipal roads, but to also look at taking over vacant spaces within the city. The City Council, Mentore confirmed, has already engaged its attorneys and is preparing to mount a legal challenge on two fronts the reclassification of 57 Georgetown roads as Public Roads, and the Government’s move to seize control of the old Constabulary Training Complex on Water Street.
Mentore said the Municipality holds the legal documentation to prove its ownership of the contested properties.
“What I see happening now is that the Government is looking to take over this property, and they are also saying that it is theirs. They have to provide the evidence to the court because we have enough transports for that property… and we will be seeking an injunctive relief so that we can regain control of our property,” he said.
The Mayor made clear that the time for diplomacy has passed, stating that the Council would not be extending any olive branch to the Government and would let the courts decide the outcome even if that means escalating to the region’s highest court.
“This round here is not no gyaffing… even if we have to take it all the way up to the CCJ we will do it,” Mentore declared.
He stressed that Central Government never consulted the Council before moving on the issue, rendering talks at this stage pointless.
However, the Mayor acknowledged a potential internal hurdle in the Council’s legal strategy. Under the law, the Town Clerk serves as the custodian of the Council’s assets and must sign off on instructions to go to court. Mentore expressed concern that political pressure could complicate that process.
“God forbid she refuses because she get call from the top, that will also be another problem,” he said.
The Government, for its part, has accused the Municipality of Georgetown of neglecting its duties. Minister of Local Government Priya Manickchand has stated that the administration’s goal is to transform Georgetown into a clean city with green spaces and modern facilities.
But Mayor Mentore dismissed those justifications, alleging the moves are politically motivated and designed to undermine the city pointing out that the Government has not moved to assume control of roads in other towns where it holds political sway.
“It is obviously a political ploy… a political ploy to undermine the city, a political ploy to start us even further by not giving us any resources,” he charged.
The Mayor has vowed to continue pushing back and is calling on Georgetown residents to make their voices heard as the dispute escalates.
