Infrastructural works, solid waste management, priorities for municipalities -Min. Dharamlall

His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has allocated resources to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to start infrastructural works on each municipality.

Minister, Hon. Nigel Dharamlall made this disclosure during an exclusive interview with DPI on Monday.

Part of the Ministry’s infrastructural plans include the expansion of the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill site at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

By year end, Cell Two should be done and ready to start handling solid waste.

Other municipal solid waste sites will be monitored closely, the Minister said.

Citing his recent visit to Bartica, Minister Dharamlall said he engaged the Mayor and Councillors of the Regional Democratic Council to assess the landfill which has been affecting residents.

“We are providing necessary support…With limited resources, the Government is still trying as much as possible to help because every citizen means something to us and we have to ensure that their lives are enhanced,” Minister Dharamlall stated.

Additionally, the PPP/C Government has mandated an Inter-Ministerial Task Force to draft a plan to enhance Georgetown. It comprises the Ministries of Agriculture, Home Affairs, Public Works and Local Government and Regional Development.

“In a recent discussion we had with City Hall, they have begun to build the super structure on their admin building…and there are resources to get that to a state of readiness where services can be provided,” Minister Dharamlall explained.

The Local Government Ministry is also partnering with the private sector and other donors to restore City Hall.

“City Hall is part of our heritage, a legacy of our past and it will serve as potential for our future in terms of historical tourism,” he said.

Minister Dharamlall relayed that this investment is paramount in the tourism industry as City Hall forms an important part of the central Georgetown landscape.