Dear Editor,
Statements appearing in certain sections of the media, attributed to the Mayor of Georgetown on my performance as City Engineer, were brought to my attention by concerned staff members.
The Mayor continues to attempt to publicly question my competence, and hold me up to public ridicule. This action by the Mayor could undermine the authority of the department, and the council as a whole. In the circumstances, I wish to state the following:
1. The Mayor appears to be using this situation (flooding of certain communities and the recent alleged observation along the waterfront) as an opportunity to achieve his personal agenda against me, to have my services terminated by the Local Government Commission. Hence his repeated calls to the Commission and Government to have me removed from my official position.
2. The Mayor’s personal agenda is blinding him to the core issues involved. Here are some facts:
A: The mayor has repeatedly said, at many fora, that the council does not have the resources to provide consistent services to the citizens of Georgetown.
B: Inadequate staffing in that section: Due to shortage of staff, sluices and pump attendants are forced to work seven (7) days a week on the waterfront. This is encouraging absenteeism and human error by these vital workers. Essentially, this has been affecting their work performance, and compromising these municipal facilities.
The Mayor is fully aware of this situation. In fact, a report that was copied to him from my department, which he also used at the recent meeting with the Prime Minister, explained this dilemma. The outcome of the discussions at that meeting was published by Stabroek News on 10th June 2022.
C: The lack of appropriate equipment and safety gear for workers is also affecting the way they do their work. Currently, the waterfront and other staff under my department are without rain coats and other allied gear.
D: Poor and harsh work condition: I have budgeted for, and stated to the council, the urgent need to repair sluice huts and allied structures, to provide proper facilities for the attendants. Although the department has raised the appropriate requisitions, it is still awaiting the purchase of materials to carry out those works to create a better work environment for those staff on the council’s waterfront.
E: Of recent, the Mayor attempted to call meetings with junior officers without my knowledge and presence. In such circumstances, there is a high possibility of inaccurate information being disseminated about drainage and other facilities of the Council. Also, I see this as an attempt to undermine my authority as head of that department.
3. I wish to iterate that, as City Engineer, I have always been committed to my duties and obligations, as prescribed by the Municipal and District Council Act, Chapter 28:01, even though I am working under many constraints.
Sincerely,
Colvern Venture
City Engineer,
Mayor and City
Council
