…the ole G/town?
With all the initiatives by the First Lady and her husband’s administration to return some dignity to our capital city’s appearance, do you think we’re at the cusp on a renewal of our “Garden City” of the Caribbean? First, there was the complete makeover of the seawall from the bandstand to the Pegasus by the First Lady. It just takes your breath away! It’s drawing both tourists and locals to return to one of our most noted landmarks – the bandstand. It had unfortunately become a haven for vagrants.
Then there’s the ongoing development of the railway embankment from the old terminal to Camp Street into a mixed-commercial and family recreational hub, by the Central Government, led by the President and his indefatigable Minister of Public Works, Edghill. The embankment – stretching all the way to Vlissengen and further to Sherriff St – had seen previous desultory attempts to put it to practical use, but those attempts were too haphazard, and certainly looked it! There’s talk now of extending the initial initiative to the full length of the embankment. The Vlissengen median to the seawall has already been paved into a walkway! What’s next?? Bringing back the trams that took us around the city and to the Bandstand, to make us into a tropical San Francisco??
The Government’s taken the bull by the horns to degut City Hall and rebuild it to its Gothic splendour. It was such an Augean Stable that the project had to be extended! How many times haven’t we poured money down that black hole – including the Private Sector and foreign donors? But then nothing can leave a black hole, can it? Save into the pockets of the occupants!! The relocated Central Fire Station from the Stabroek Market area is about to be opened on Homestretch Ave.
And let’s not even talk about Independence Boulevard in Albouystown!! From the most feared slum in the city, it’s now the centerpiece of what in developed countries would be called “gentrification”. But rather than new urban Yuppies from outside enjoying the development, the Government has spearheaded the effort, so that it’s the long-suffering residents who will do so!!
But let’s face the truth, shall we? No matter what Central Government does, the responsibility for MAINTAINING AND EXTENDING what can only be a demonstration of POSSIBILITIES lies with City Hall!! With the departed Mayor, the old people would say while shaking their heads sadly, “Good na deh heah.” Let’s hope the new M&CC will get with the programme!!
Maybe the birth of Silica City in our interior will be a wake-up call. Lest the Government transmute it into the Administrative Capital and leave Georgetown to its chosen fate.
Who na hear mus’ feel.
…1953 politics?
There are some who pray for “valency politics” to take over in Guyana – that is, folks who’d vote for political parties whose leaders just want to “do the right thing”!! But that ain’t gonna happen ever!! If you doubt that, just look at all the countries we’ve been imitating – politically and otherwise – in this voting business. Britain?? Supporting a soap opera monarchy?? With the unelected Sunak government hanging on for dear life??
And the US? Invading the seat of government to overturn an election? The Supreme Court EXPANDING handgun ownership at a time of a mass shooting every week? Hey!! Their voting patterns increasingly match their cleavages. In this case, they seem to be FOLLOWING us!! So, who’re the “backward” ones now??!! So no, dear readers, we better start accepting that our only hope is our political parties are serious about getting into office through the ballot boxes.
Meaning they gotta cultivate cross-over votes – cause it’s in their interest to defuse racial hostilities!!
…sugar daddy politics?
China’s deploying their US$3.25 TRILLION in foreign reserves, accumulated thanks to the US, like money’s going out of style!!
So, what if they repossess everything when you choke on the debt??! All sugar daddies do that, no!!
