The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has told the Mayor and City Council that it wants local government reform and elections.
It made the call at a meeting on Monday aimed at discussing the issues affecting the city and finding solutions.
According to a press release from the GCCI, its President Clinton Urling outlined concerns from the business community relating to the capital city and other municipalities; the need for local government reform and local government elections, the unsanitary conditions of the city and the need for better waste management systems.
In response to the issue of local government reform and elections, Shadow Minister of Local Government Ronald Bulkan indicated that a Joint Task Force was initiated in 2001 and nationwide consultations were held which resulted in various recommendations for reform of the local government system. Subsequently, five legislative bills were crafted but only one passed in previous sittings of Parliament. The remaining four have been tabled in the current Parliament and are under review by Select Committees.
In his address, Mayor Hamilton Green said the issue of waste management in the city and countrywide is linked to the need for local government elections, so that persons can be held accountable for various responsibilities. He also indicated that a letter was written to President Donald Ramotar outlining several matters affecting Georgetown and the need for the government to host a meeting with all stakeholders to allow for dialogue on the issues. The meeting has never materialised.
The mayor also informed the meeting that the City Council lacks the necessary manpower and machinery, as well as the required institutional framework and financial resources to deal with the upkeep and maintenance of the city. He said that the current cost for garbage collection is over 40% of the institution’s total revenue.
In response, Urling said the GCCI will embark on a plan of action through its Advocacy Committee to review the legislation that has been tabled in Parliament and to call for local government reform and elections. Urling also noted that it was important for all stakeholders to facilitate and participate in the dialogue to find solutions.
