Why is the President allowing these things to happen?

Jan 04, 2014 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
Clearly there are many challenges and issues that face those who govern for the New Year.
However, as we move around the capital, two things must be a cause of worry.
First is the traffic congestion in the central business district in the capital and the buildup of garbage in almost every block, including, believe it or not, to the East of the Mayor’s Office in the City Hall Compound, under the watchful eye of the administrator identified by the Honourable Minister. I comment on the latter, since it constitutes a serious health hazard.
The garbage crisis in Georgetown is a direct responsibility of the Government and their appointed Town Clerk of Georgetown – between the Government and the Town Clerk, they are one hundred percent responsible for this mess. I give the following briefly:
1. Government has failed to properly implement an agreed IDB public education program to deal with Solid Waste.
2. When I raised this matter in the presence of Ministers Whittaker and Edghill at a session at Haags Bosch last year, neither would give a satisfactory answer as to what has happened to the money and the program.  They both seemed more concerned with giving out bicycles to the litter-pickers at the Haags Bosch Landfill Facility. Yet another PPP political gimmick.
3. The Government has failed to put sufficient thought and resources into this   question of waste collection, disposal and generation nationally.  By its very nature this has to be a national effort.
4. At City Hall we have a Public Relations Division with one Public Relations Officer, no secretary, no staff, no typing and printing facilities.
5. The new holding facility at Haags Bosch is eight miles out of Georgetown, and in spite of our pleadings, is restricted to the opening hours of 8:00a.m to 5:00p.m.
6. The government must say why the Haags Bosch facility is not available on a twenty-four-hour basis.  (Not the responsibility of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council)
7. The Town Clerk, without discussing with the Mayor and Councillors, unilaterally transferred the Street Orderlies to work with the two compactors, which were put in operation after being idle for several months.  The Street Orderlies normally picked up waste in the Regent, Robb and High Streets business areas.
8. In direct conflict to decisions by the Mayor and Councillors, the Town Clerk, with the obvious support of the Minister, dispensed with its services of two Solid Waste contractors, Cevons and Dartmouth, so that the following areas (West and East Ruimveldt, North East La Penitence, Lamaha Springs, Lamaha Park, Jeeboo Landing area, Independence Boulevard, Middle Road La Penitence, Kingston, North and South Cummingsburg, Alberttown and Queenstown) are left to Council’s Solid Waste Department, which only has one truck and one trailer, and an earlier dictum by the Town Clerk of no overtime.  We understand that from today (Saturday, January 4, 2014) she has authorized the Director of Solid Waste to permit some overtime.
Next, the Government has done little to restrict importation of used tyres, and after my pleadings, since 1996, to ban non-biodegradable food boxes etc; we hear that this would be done this year. Let us hope it happens.
The above are some of the raw facts which contribute to the sorry state of Georgetown, all now beyond the control of the duly elected Mayor and Councillors.  Garbage buildup puts at risk every citizen, in particular our infants and children.
I shall deal with parking congestion and bush trucks, the role of the Central Housing and Planning Authority in the destruction of Georgetown.
In a normal society, the action by the Minister and the Town Clerk could be considered criminal and deserving of punishment. But then this is Guyana, where a Minister of Local Government said he would welcome a health crisis in Georgetown. This is Guyana, where an unqualified strange person has been imposed on to the Mayor and City Council to manage the important Municipal affairs of the Nation’s Capital.  Believe it or not, but this is Guyana. According to one media entity, it is as dangerous as putting a night nurse to perform a surgery.
My question is when will decent citizens demand that the Government puts an end to this (confounded nonsense) and allow us to breathe fresh air in a healthy environment?
Finally, if allowed and given the appropriate resources and authority, 2014 can see Georgetown restored as a Garden City.
The big question is why the President who calls for cooperation in his New Year message is allowing these things to happen?
Hamilton Green, J.P.

 

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