City has to do its part to help restore order and good neighbourliness

Dear Editor,

We, the public, will continue to read the pronouncements of the authorities with scepticism, snorts of derision, or even some good humour, depending on our mood, since they almost always display healthy measures of double standards or plain hypocrisy.

Mayor of Georgetown Pandit Ubraj Narine proposes a hike of littering fines from $10,000 to $50,000. On the face of it, it could mean that come Carnival in May and Mashramani 2020, the M&CC could rake in millions of dollars in fines if we go by the mountains of litter droppings that are produced by the revellers including the vendors who pay the M&CC for the privilege of playing loud, unhealthy and illegal music all day and night and who make their own very considerable contributions to the litter.  Right now, the utility poles along the Mash route continue to be “littered” with banners and flags. The regulations that govern the putting up and taking down of such material are always ignored and these will very likely remain in place until they become tattered rags and public eyesores.

In reply to the Mayor’s call for cooperation, the residents of Queenstown and Kitty wish to assure him that we are always willing to cooperate with the M&CC to ensure that the laws and rules are adhered to and, further, that we would support the M&CC instituting charges and fines on those who breach the regulations.

We look forward to the M&CC doing its part in this cooperative venture which can help restore peace, order, good neighbourliness and some modicum of cleanliness and beauty to our city.

This is stated in the context that the drains and canal are unlikely to be cleaned, and the grass and bush cut until there is another parade scheduled for our streets. We know this from the precedent set.

Heavy fines for littering will surely do little amidst the mess of long grass, tall bush, dirty drains and mud-filled canals.

Yours faithfully,

Ryhaan Shah