This is a spiteful act by the Caesars of City Hall

Feb 23, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
This city of Georgetown, this land of many waters is never short of drama and sensationalism. Opening one of the dailies, I was shocked at the vindictive nature of one of the guardians of the citizens of the Georgetown, “Mayor moves to have city businesses closed by 16:30 hrs” I trust that the honourable Madam has properly analyzed the consequences of her impending actions.
This coming on the heels of massive protest and resistance against the parking meter project can only be termed spiteful and full of vengeance against a section of the community whose only desire is to preserve the rights fought for and enshrined in the laws of our constitution for all of our citizens and Guyana as a whole. Why the invocation of this law at this stage? I can only surmise it is to spite all businesses left, right and center, but this action can never succeed; it will only attract more resistance. The business community will not surrender to threats and innuendos from someone who has done everything wrong when it comes to the parking meter fiasco.
This latest action only exposes the nature of people we have in high places in our city leadership and by extension our government, they (government) sit and allow the Caesars at City Hall to sell our city with their hands-off approach. God knows I would love this government to succeed in every aspect of development but this hands-off approach is like shooting themselves in the foot.
Georgetown is owned by us the citizens, the City Hall officials are our servants not our bosses. We pay them via our payment of rates and taxes. They have exploited the street vendors then kicked them out of the streets unceremoniously, like dogs with no rights. Just in case that part has been forgotten, we the citizens pay you to serve us.
Now things are getting on the dirty side. I urge our protestors not to be bullied into silence, but let us continue the fight; we shall overcome, we shall be victorious, Smart City Solutions must go, a new advertisement for parking meters be sought out, that the procurement laws of Guyana be adhered to, and the bidding process be above board. Until that is done we will not surrender.
The city fathers and mother did everything wrong when they signed a contract that would affect the lives of thousands of people, a contract that is so far not transparent, no proper consultations with the those of us who use the city on a daily basis, no consultations with the residence of Georgetown, and no feasibility study or surveys to determine the long and short term effects of it citizens.
Instead we do have “a take it or leave it” attitude. We live in a new Guyana that is part of a new Global Order; people’s views are not to be suppressed by any method whatsoever. People’s views must be heard and respected. If what the honourable Lady is contemplating is brought to fruition she will not be spiting the business community alone. The teacher who comes after hours to get work done for the next day, parents after work shopping to meet the needs of the next day, so I can imagine we will have a greater crowd out there come this week.
Ivan John

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