Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 20, 2019 APNU Column, Features / Columnists
(Excerpts from an address to the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown by Hon. Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities)
The City of Georgetown, founded in 1781 has a rich and proud history marked with ups and downs. Its wooden architecture, street layout, and drainage canals remind us of the Dutch, French and English founders. The Town Council, that you are now a part of, was established in 1843 and was the seat of government for the colonial administrations. Fast forward 176 years later, it is the national capital of the Republic and is the seat of all three branches of government; the executive, the legislative and the judicial branch.
Even as this administration strategically pursues a new agenda for local government with the establishment of ‘capital town’ in each of our ten (10) development regions, the City of Georgetown remains clothed with special status. Despite its challenges and shortcomings, the proper management of this City is pivotal to our development as a nation.
The administration’s strategic upgrade of the status of the administrative centres of our four hinterland regions to township; Mabaruma in the Barima/Waini, Bartica in Cuyuni/Mazaruni, Mahdia in Potaro/Siparuni and Lethem in Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo, is in an effort to ensure that each part of Guyana develops. This represents the first major extension in municipal administration in over four decades.
Local government is an important pillar in the democratic organisation of our country. Hence, the return of local democracy with the holding of local government elections after a hiatus of two decades, has been accompanied with the extension of the coverage of local government and the efforts of the administration to build the capacities of local organs to deliver satisfactory public services.
The operationalisation of constitutional and legislative provisions that enables decentralised governance represents a distinct break with the “centralist approach” of our predecessors; as our objective is to ensure our citizens have access to essential public services within their respective communities.
As a result of this renewal, young leaders are appearing all across the country, building critical human and leadership capital to safeguard Guyana’s future, testimony to the Administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, inclusivity, promoting diversity and entrenching democratic governance.
Today a 27-year-old man is the Chief Citizen of our capital city, the youngest ever by a long way in our history. The council also has a 19-year-old female councillor. The Mayor of Bartica is a young man. The Beterverwagting/Triumph NDC has just elected a 22-year-old as Chairman.
No amount of political spin and distortion could denigrate the transformations which have taken place in the last 3½ years with the restoration of local democracy by this administration. Our achievements through strategic efforts to restore functionality to the system of local government are unprecedented in our Republic post-independence history.
The City of Georgetown has likewise had its challenges but there are definitely successes that we can boast of. Through this empowerment exercise, the City has begun the herculean task of rising from its once denigrated status of ‘garbage city’ to retain its former glory. I firmly believe that the City is poised for further transformation.
This transformation will only be possible, if each of you commit yourself to ensuring the proper management of this City. No pressure, but eyes of all is not only on the Mayor but the entire council, as to how it will tackle the age-old problems that continue to beset the City.
The other nine townships are watching, the vendors, the business community, the residents, the youths etc. The Council must, therefore, frontally confront these challenges while maintaining the goodwill of the people it serves. Issues such as illegal vending spread, drainage, security, solid waste management, squatting on municipal reserves, zoning etc. Grappling with these issues and satisfying the expectations of citizens is not an easy task given the limited financial resources at the council’s disposal.
IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Undertaking this herculean task would necessitate the crafting of a well-researched and reasoned plan that will prioritize and synchronize activities of the council, thereby assisting with the efficient usage of already limited resources at the council’s disposal. An orderly City demands shrewd and inclusive planning. Programmes and projects of the Council, whether small or large, must be contextualized within a long-term development plan. It goes without saying that development is not ad hoc, each bit we do should contribute to a larger goal. For instance, whether the council only has $20 million to rehabilitate a market, citizens should know that this is one phase of a larger plan to transform that market and boost economic activities.
I bring to the attention of this council, therefore, the recommendation of President Granger in his address to the previous council for the establishment of a National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) as the institutional mechanism to aid such planning. His Excellency’s suggestion went unheeded, but now is not the time for us to seek to apportion blame, but rather, an opportunity for us to hit the reset button and to accept the President’s recommendation.
A development plan, as alluded to earlier, stands a greater chance of achieving its objective only when there is broad ownership of the plan. The plan is only effective as a tool if potential beneficiaries have helped to shape it.
IMPORTANCE OF CONSTITUENCY COUNCILLORS
I, therefore, urge that the council seek to reconnect with the citizens and all stakeholders. This council should hold fast to the virtues of representativeness, inclusiveness, and effectiveness as propounded by President Granger. Constituency councilors play a major role in this regard.
I wish to acknowledge the Constituency councillors in our midst today. You form a direct link between the council and the residents and can be an important channel for the garnering of feedback that may assist in the identification and effective implementation of the council’s work programme. In this era of peoples’ empowerment, it is time we capitalise on this type of leadership. You are better positioned to represents the interest of your constituents at this horseshoe table if you engage them. Constituency councillors must, therefore, be more visible and proactive.
The interest and welfare of all stakeholders should be incorporated into the council’s plan. A rethink of relations with the business community should also be pursued. In this regard, the Ministry of Communities stands ready to facilitate resuscitation of the Tripartite Committee established to promote dialogue between the council and the private sector. The Council should seek to ensure an investor-friendly climate by taking steps to reduce unnecessary delays in the issuance of building permits etc.
While the jurisdiction of the political and administrative arms of the council must be respected, I urge councillors not to shirk its oversight responsibility and keep check on the actions of the administration in the implementation of decisions and programmes of council. Recent events have proven that the work of the entire council (good and bad) is brought into disrepute in the absence of checks and balances. Strict monitoring will ensure value for money, accountability and transparency.
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 23, 2024
Kaieteur Sports – Over the weekend, the prestigious Lusignan Golf Club played host to the highly anticipated AMCHAM Golf Tournament, drawing golf enthusiasts and professionals alike from across...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]