“Hit the reset button” – Min. Bulkan tells new city mayor, councilors at inauguration ceremony

─ says city poised for transformation

─ council must confront challenges, serve the people

DPI, Guyana, Monday, January 14, 2019

Recommitting his government’s unwavering support, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, today, told the new Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine and councillors to take a new course of action to return Georgetown to its former glory.

The minister was administering the charge to the new council, elected following the November 12, 2018, Local Government Elections (LGE).

The minister said while Georgetown has had its challenges, it has equally had its successes. He said through the empowerment of local democracy, the city has begun the herculean task of rising from its once denigrated status to retain its former status.

“I firmly believe that the city is poised for even further transformation. This transformation will only be possible if each of you commit yourself… Now is not the time to apportion blame, but rather an opportunity for us to hit the reset button,” the minister said.

He added the council, led by the 27-year-old Narine, must confront all challenges while maintaining the goodwill of the people it serves.

“I, therefore, urge that the council seeks to reconnect with citizens and all stakeholders. The council should hold fast to the virtues of representativeness, inclusiveness and effectiveness,” Minister Bulkan said.

He said while the jurisdiction of the political and administrative arm of the council must be respected, officials should not shirk its oversight responsibility, and keep check of the administration in the implementation of decisions and programmes of the council.

He reminded that constituency councillors play a major role in this regard.

“You form a direct link between the council and residents and can be an important channel for the garnering of feedback that can assist in the identification and effective implementation of the work programme. You are better positioned to represent the interest of your constituents at this horseshoe table if you engage with those constituents.”

According to Minister Bulkan, the council should seek to ensure an investor-friendly climate by taking steps to reduce unnecessary delays in the issue building permits.

“The ministry stands ready to support a resuscitation of a tripartite committee established to promote dialogue between the council and the private sector,” the minister promised.

Alexis Rodney.

Images: Keno George.

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