“Good management is a must” – City Mayor

― $32M in debts owed to contractors slashed to $4M

 

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 2, 2019

 

In a sit-down interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine said during his six months in office, there have been several developments aimed to contribute positively to the city. “We have dealt with the issue of the contractors by slashing a $32M debt to $14M. We have dealt with all the sluices and pumps in the city, there are 14 sluices, and all are working. We also dealt with the regularisation of the Finance Department and the way cheques were being paid out. As a council, we were able to gain $5M from the Ministry of Communities from Central Government to purchase equipment.”

He added that the council also received three tractors and a garbage truck from the Ministry of Communities.

The mayor also highlighted that over the past months, he has been addressing the matter of management. “Management, in terms of administration, for me, is very important, and I intend to ensure there is better management at the level of each Department of the Mayor and City Council,”

He added that there is a need for the council and the administration to work hand in hand to better deliver to the people. “The citizens of Georgetown must be served, and I will stand by that. We have different committees mandated and everything is going well at that end, the same must be expected from the administration.”

The mayor said he is aware of the challenges that come with the post; however, these must be faced head-on and cohesively. He has expressed his commitment to standing by the policies and principles of the Coalition Government to curb corruption.

Mayor Narine is the young person to hold that office. Following his swearing-in, the young mayor pledged to lead by example and noted, “in Georgetown, the environment must be protected, the residents must be given services that do not compromise expediency. Businesses must thrive and young people provided with opportunities for their talents.”

 

Image: Abike Barker