The expenditure of $75M on the city's drainage system could turn out to be a wasted exercise, because of the attitude of many residents who stand to benefit.

All the contractors now engaged in the clearing and cleaning of drains and alleyways have with one voice called on city hall to put systems in place so as to prevent the throwing of garbage and rubbish back into the places which were recently restored.

The contractors working in Argicola, McDoom, Lodge and other parts of Georgetown in interviews on the city council's sponsored television programme, Spotlight On City Hall, which is broadcast every Friday at 8:30 pm on GTV, have suggested that these environmental abusers be severely punished when caught.

Four city councillors speaking on behalf of their constituents, Agricola, McDoom and Lodge respectively, appeared on the programme denouncing the irresponsible behaviour of many householders.

The city `fathers' and `mothers' included the PNC Reform's former Mayor Ranwell Jordan, Rocky Mann of the PPP/Civic and his colleague Miss Elme Ishmael and the GGG's Harold Kissoon. This stand received the support of the residents who appeared on the programme to give their views and make their comments on the drainage rehabilitation works.

The consensus is that the city police should put in place immediately, mechanisms to constantly monitor the different areas where work has been done to ensure that the by-laws dealing with garbage disposal are observed to the letter.

One resident in Lodge pointed to the lack of rubbish bins in her area, noting that this has led to people to dump rubbish and garbage on the parpets and in the alleyways and drains.

The staff of the environmental division of the Medical Officer of Health Department was taken to task for its inaction. Councillor Kissoon said over the past several months he had consistently questioned at council meetings the reports of the environmental officer about the number of visits paid to certain areas, when this was not reflected in what was taking place on the ground.

The work programme

While councillor Rocky Mann is so far satisfied with the work done by the contractor in McDoom, and councillor Kissoon expressed some satisfaction with what has been done in Lodge, former Mayor Jordan says he is still uncomfortable with the way in which the contractor approached the job in Argicola.

This contractor had said his agreement with the council made no mention of excavating any site. All he had done as per contract was to clean and clear the drains and alleyways.

The contracts call for the monitoring of the works over a three month period with the city engineer's department as overseer.

As for the work which was done by the prison service in parts of the city there have been no complaints. The prisoners worked under the supervision of senior prison officers and it's been suggested that some of these prisoners who were reaching the end of their incarceration could be gainfully employed by some of the contractors in other works, after serving their time.

The Mall revisited

The time has come for city `fathers' and `mothers' to carry out an in-depth review of the way in which the Merriman Mall is operated by the council, especially that part from Cummings to Bourda streets.

This section had been earmarked for Mall enterpeneurs to display their handicraft and art works.

An investigation carried out by this column reveals that this original plan has failed miserably and many of the stalls are now being used as store rooms for a wide variety of goods and merchandise and are left closed during the day.

One of the first occupants, a well-known handicraft and culture expeonent, is worried over the future of his business, since very few are attracted to visit these stalls which are still in business: "There is no business activity..."

The Mall was declared open in 1995, with Mayor Hamilton Green predicting that it would be the avenue for the small enterpeneur to grow and expand. This has not happened. City councillors after some six years should now turn their attention to making this part of the Mall not only attractive for business but ensuring it is not a drain on the council's meagre finances.