Ahead of Local Government Elections, Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine accused the PPP/C Government of being a major contributor to the council’s inability to function effectively. The mayor said the administration not only starved it of vital funds but also owes $1B in rates and taxes. Upon noting this, Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh set the record straight as he noted that the council owes the Guyana Power and Light $3.2B, the Guyana Revenue Authority $1.7B and the National Insurance Scheme $387M in contributions.
In a letter published in today’s Stabroek News, Dr. Singh found it ironic that Narine would seek to highlight what the government owes when that sum pales in comparison to what is outstanding for several government agencies.
In relation to GRA, Dr. Singh noted that the city council owes $1.7 billion in taxes for the period 2016 to 2023, representing outstanding PAYE which was deducted from employees but never remitted to the GRA. “As an employer, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has a legal obligation to deduct and remit such to GRA in a timely manner,” the minister said.
Dr. Singh also noted that his party was responsible for making critical interventions to support Georgetown residents which is in stark contrast to Narine’s contention. In this regard, the minister noted that during the period 2020 to 2022, the Government expended over $6 billion to construct and rehabilitate roads in Georgetown and between 2020 and 2022, the Government expended $155 million to reconstruct and rehabilitate bridges.
Dr. Singh also noted that during the period 2020- 2022, the government expended $1 billion to enhance the Old Railway Embankment, $1.6 billion on enhancement works along Independence Boulevard, Cemetery Road, and Internal Roads, Albouystown, Georgetown; and $250 million on enhancement works along Kingston Seawall.
He said these are but a few of the exhaustive list of support provided since the PPP assumed office.
