Central Government to lead Georgetown sanitisation efforts amid City Council failures

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand said the government will take decisive action to address sanitation issues in Georgetown, citing what she described as persistent inconsistency and lack of cooperation from the city’s Mayor and City Council.
Speaking at an engagement on Sunday, after Mayor Alfred Mentore and most councillors failed to attend a scheduled meeting, Manickchand said the engagement was meant to examine how Central Government and the City Council could collaborate to improve cleanliness and sanitation in the capital city.
“I was really stunned when I saw the news reports this morning saying the mayor made statements completely opposite to what happened,” Manickchand said, alleging that the statements were published on the mayor’s Facebook page.
She detailed several meetings held since she assumed office in September, including engagements with the mayor, councillors and sanitation officials, which she said were marked by commitments to collaboration.
“In less than two months, I met with the mayor and City Council three times,” she said.
However, the minister said contradictions soon emerged between the mayor’s off-camera positions and his public statements, particularly on sanitation and vendor issues.
She said that at a meeting held the previous day, the mayor acknowledged the poor state of the city and stated that resources were not the issue.
“He said it has nothing to do with garbage trucks. He didn’t ask me for more trucks. Then to see a post saying the only reason they can’t clean the city is lack of resources is the opposite of what he said,” Manickchand noted.
Manickchand also rejected claims that councillors were powerless to act, describing the position as worrying.
“If you’re saying you can’t do anything, then what are you doing here?,” she said.
The minister noted that Central Government already handles road works, drainage, beautification and maintenance in Georgetown, leaving the City Council primarily responsible for garbage collection.
“That is something they have been unable to do,” she said.
Manickchand said the continued absence of collaboration means the government will now act independently to restore the capital.
“Your government understands this cannot go on. We are going to take action that will see Georgetown rescued,” Manickchand said.
The minister further called on residents and businesses to support efforts to make the city clean, healthy and habitable.