GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Local Government and Regional Development Minister Savitri Sonia Parag on Tuesday described the Georgetown City Council’s decision to grant a 25 percent waiver on outstanding rates owed by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) as “alarming and unlawful.”
In a statement, Parag said that she had noted the decision by the Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, and the opposition-controlled City Council, adding that the Municipal and District Councils Act “clearly stipulates that any discount on rates due must not exceed 10 percent.
“By approving more than double this legally mandated limit, the Mayor and his council have blatantly disregarded the rule of law and their fiduciary duty to the citizens of Georgetown,” she said, adding that “this decision comes at a time when the Council continuously laments its financial woes and requests bailouts from Central Government, claiming to be cash-strapped.
“It is baffling that while pleading poverty, the Council finds it prudent to forgo significant revenue that could have been utilized to improve vital services such as garbage collection, market management, and overall sanitation – all areas in which they have consistently, and miserably failed.”
Parag said that the Council’s financial management must be scrutinized. “Instead of prioritizing the collection of funds owed to the city, they have chosen to grant not only legally questionable but also fiscally irresponsible concessions.
“This decision warrants an urgent review to ensure compliance with the law and protect Georgetown’s financial integrity.”
She said that the opposition-led Council’s broader pattern of financial mismanagement and political opportunism is equally concerning.
“This is not an isolated incident but rather part of a troubling trend. Most recently, in August 2024, the Council approved a similarly controversial waiver for political parties, which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) vehemently opposed.
“It is widely known that the opposition owes the city billions in rates and taxes for its Sophia headquarters —funds that would significantly improve the quality of life for Georgetown’s residents.”
The minister said this raises serious questions about the motivations behind these decisions, adding that “the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will continue to monitor these developments closely.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all municipal actions adhere strictly to the law and serve the best interests of the people of Georgetown. The time has come for the Council to place the welfare of its citizens above narrow political interests,” Parag added.
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