HGP NIGHTLY NEWS- Dear Editor,
Today, a public notice was issued by the Ministry of Public works on an “Inter-Agency Task Force” being formed by the Government which stated that it comprises the Mayor and City Council. I was never contacted nor am I aware of any representation from the Mayor and City council.
I was in the fields since 6am this morning ensuring that the pumps and kokers/sluices was working. I also today visited a few areas that was vastly affected by the terrible flooding, areas such as; Albertown, Prashad Nagar, Bel air, Albouystown, Charlestown and Regent Street, where businesses and homes were impacted. I was deeply saddened by the millions of dollars in damages that citizens are currently facing while the Government continues to “play politics”.
The Minister of Local Government, Minister Dharamlall who is the subject Minister needs to stop playing the “blame game”.
The Government should be focused on paying their taxes and urging businesses and citizens to do the same, so that the Mayor and City Council can effectively execute their duties and serve the people.
In the past five (5) years, we have not experienced flooding like this, when the previous Government made it their duty to see that drainage and irrigation throughout the City was a priority. The previous Government ensured that the Mayor and City Council received seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000.00) for the fifteen (15) constituencies annually. Five (5) million per constituency to ensure drainage and alleyways were kept clean. The current Government only issued Two (2) million dollars for the same fifteen (15) constituencies which can’t even cover workers, much less to clean up the City.
Minister Dharamlall refuses to assist the Mayor and City Council while Government and Businesses refuse to pay their taxes.
Heavy rainfalls and high tide contributed to the flooding in the City, I also believe that the recent flooding of the success area would have also contributed to the rise in water. The conservancy runs straight into the City of Georgetown and water will seep through.
This occurrence is just a clear representation of an incompetent Government in power, who lacks leadership. Minister Dharamlall we are asking you to exercise your wisdom. We cannot continue to "play politics" with the livelihood of our citizens, we need to come together and put our Citizens first so that we do not repeat history. “Lessons in life will be repeated until they are learned”
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