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The Mayor of Georgetown has objected to any move by the central government to assume control of several major city roads, warning that such action would be unlawful and undermine the authority of the Mayor and City Council.
Speaking at a statutory meeting on Friday, Mayor Alfred Mentore said the council retains responsibility for the management, control, and maintenance of public streets under existing municipal laws. He argued that any attempt to reclassify or seize these roads without due legal process would violate statutory authority and threaten local government autonomy.
The mayor listed roads reportedly targeted, including New Market Street, Middle Street, Aubrey Barker Road, Vlissingen Road, Cane View Avenue, Garnett Street, D’Andrade Street, Da Silva Street, Lamaha Street, Dennis Street, the Eastern Highway, Sandy Babb Street, Albert Street, Cummings Street, Regent Street, Robb Street, Charlotte Street, America Street, Camp Street, East Street, and Hadfield Street.
Mentore warned that removing these roads from council control could affect revenue collection, infrastructure planning, and the livelihoods of vendors operating along these corridors, while setting a precedent for further erosion of municipal assets.
He said the council is considering legal action, including a judicial review, and will formally engage the central government to address the matter. The mayor added that government road repairs do not confer ownership or legal authority over the city’s infrastructure.
