Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:00 AM
GPHC aims to beautify immediate environs
– City Council says works unapproved
By Tiffanne Ramphal
While efforts are being made to enhance the environs of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), its officials are convinced that a faction within the Georgetown Mayor & City Council (M&CC) is intent on impeding the beautification works.
With a well prepared plan that is centered on contributing to the restoration of Georgetown’s status as the ‘Garden City’, construction works began of concrete structures wrapping around the facility’s New Market Street entrance, proposed to contain an array of flowers.
The normal state of the area (In front of the hospital).
“What we are trying to do is enhance the beauty of this place. We are making the environment in front of the hospital more friendly and orderly,” GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan, said of the venture.
The construction commenced early last week following approval from acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, who also indicated that a pertinent aspect of the beautification works was the removal of the vendors plying their trade at the health facility’s entrances.
According to reports, some constables of the City Council were instructed to remove the vendors from the location.
When Kaieteur News visited the location yesterday, vacant areas along the pavement could be plainly identified as selling spots that had once been occupied by vendors but had been cleared.
With that move being made, a faction of the City Council is now insisting that the ongoing beautification works are being carried out in the absence of approval, while the operations will adversely affect the roadside vendors, even “putting them out of bread”.
According to Councilor, Gregory Fraser, following an inspection from the Council’s Chief Building Inspector and an engineer, it was found that official approval had not been given for the erection of the structures, neither was an application lodged for approval.
He explained that the project entailed firstly seeking approval. He said the application for approval would be made out to the engineers’ section. Upon completion of reviews, the engineers’ section would forward the application to the Works Committee along with their recommendations. Once it is approved by the Works Committee, the application is then forwarded to the Full Council for approval. Upon completion of these stages, the applicant would then be informed of the M&CC’s response towards the application.
This, Fraser said, had not been done. Hence, the Councilor added, the contractors were instructed by the Building Inspector to halt construction until approval was sought.
Following beautification works.
Fraser also noted that, with the concrete structure, the roadside vendors are being disregarded.
“This is their way of making an honest living. The Council is not prepared to put people out of bread; as long as they do not breach the laws, we cannot justify moving them,” Fraser said.
Notable, however, is the fact that the instruction to remove the vendors had been initially handed down by the Council.
GPHC feels that due to lack of coordination within the Council’s walls, their effort to aid in the city’s restoration is being exposed to criticism. The hospital’s CEO views the situation as one which is “very sad”.
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