Dear Editor,
His Worship the Mayor of Georgetown Mr.Ubraj Narine, Town Clerk (ag) Sharon Harry– Munroe and Senior Officers of Council met with contractors who would have provided services to the Council during 2017 and 2018 and are still owed monies. The meeting was called at the behest of Mayor Narine. The Mayor noted that since he assumed office several contractors have called and visited enquiring about outstanding monies owed to them by the Council.
His Worship the Mayor of Georgetown said that the Council is new and has inherited millions dollars in debts.
The Mayor noted that the small contractors have worked assiduously during the period of 2016, 2017 and 2108 to clean drains, alleyways and canals. He noted that their dedicated service has lifted the City to a state that is more environmentally friendly. The Mayor expressed sincere gratitude to the contractors for their patience, commitment and understanding of the challenges of the Municipality. Harry-Munroe said that she and the City Treasurer John Douglas are currently examining the matter in detail and is seeking to put in place a payment plan to liquidate the outstanding monies owed. She noted that Council does not have the wherewithal to pay all the contractors immediately; this is why a payment plan is necessary.
Contractor Hilbert Archer said that the Commission of Inquiry into the city’s operations recommended that the Central Government should help the City Council by paying off some of the outstanding sums owed to small contracts. He noted that he is still waiting for this to become a reality. The other contractors lamented that the garbage contractors were assisted by the Central Government. Therefore, Central Government should also consider their plight. His Worship the Mayor said that he is scheduled to speak with His Excellency President David Granger and after that meeting he will be in a better position to make a clear pronouncement on this issue as it relates to government intervention.
Several contractors are collectively owed millions of dollars for services provided including; cleaning and desilting of drains and the procurement of construction material. The contractors thanked the Mayor for taking time off from his busy schedule to meet with them and to listen to their concerns.
Yours faithfully,
Debra Lewis
Public Relations Officer,
Mayor and City Council
