The Government’s recent city “clean up” initiative has come under harsh criticisms from several quarters, including the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown. Joining that list is Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Aubrey Norton who describes the intention of the initiative as a “threat to local democracy”.
In a press statement Norton accused the Government of “dominance and starvation” of local democratic organs. He expressed fears that the Government might be planning a takeover of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, among other organs won by the APNU+AFC at the last Local Government Elections held in 2018. Norton’s concern is that they would be replaced with Interim Management Committees (IMCs) as was done in the past.
Interim Management Committees had become a main tool of the then PPP/C Government (1992-2015). Then, PPP/C through Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud went on a ‘clean out’ campaign across the country, replacing democratically elected Councilors it claimed were not functioning properly or effectively and appointing mostly party loyalists to fill their posts.
In an invited comment the Mayor of Georgetown Pandit Ubraj Naraine confirmed with us that neither he nor the Council were invited by the Government to take part in what was touted by President Ali as a ‘National Clean up Exercise’. Instead the Government mandated the services of the Guyana Police Force, the Army and fire service. Many of whom are still to receive their one month Christmas bonus promised by the administration.
The postponement of Constitutionally due Local Government Elections last year by the Government also adds to the fears of Guyanese that a IMC move could be in the making for the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown. However, the PNCR Leader expressed his willingness to engage the installed Ali regime in the interest of all Guyanese and their communities.
More, In The Ring.
