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City councillors have been warned of a threat of "volcanic proportions" at the temporary landfill site in Le Repentir cemetery.
The Medical Officer of Health Dr Vibart Shury told the last statutory meeting of the council that the garbage at the cemetery site had a height of more than 18 feet and is climbing. In his budget presentation earlier in the month, the chairman of the council's finance committee Deputy Robert Williams noted that since June 2001 the council has been unable to get the Central Tender Board to approve the award of a contract for an engineer and a public relations consultant in order to move the process forward.
The sum approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is for constructing a chain link perimeter fence, connecting Mandela Avenue with Broad Street, constructing a site office, gate house, vehicle wash bay, sanitary block and shed for litter pickers and pursuing a major public awareness programme.
The selection of a new landfill site was also raised at the meeting with People's National Congress/R councillor Ranwell Jordan, a former mayor, calling for a final decision on whether it would be Eccles or Diamond.
In his budget the Deputy Mayor under the head... Solid Waste Management... disclosed that the council's landfill and incinerator received 81,000 tonnes of waste during last year.
More than 40,000 tonnes came from domestic household sources.
A feature in the Sunday Stabroek last year had warned about the dangers posed by the dump site because of the build up of methane gas.
A Sophia solution
The council and the government are still to agree on the way forward for the development of Sophia.
Councillors have been told that "there is still a lack of collaboration between the city and Central Housing and Planning Authority".
Mention has been made of the recent decision by the government of President Bharrat Jagdeo to grant a waiver of taxes to residents in Sophia thus depriving the municipality of some $31M.
The chairman of the council's finance committee Deputy Mayor Williams has made the point that as soon as the necessary documents are issued to the residents... "the responsibility becomes that of the city..."
Stabroek Market
"Maintenance of drains and roads, collection of refuse, and provision of street lights are going to be expected from the city..." the Deputy Mayor explained.
June 20th is the date set for the handing over of the renovated Stabroek market to the Georgetown City Council. Among the improvements are new electrical fittings and lighting system, sanitary facilities and a renovated roof.
The chairman of the finance committee in his budget presentation said following the handing over, the council will once again review the operational cost of the Stabroek Market and "may likely increase rentals on the basis of facilities being offered..."
The council may also take action against vendors who operate in front of the market on Water Street.
The council expects to collect $115M from its markets during this year.
Revenue collection in the city's markets has been affected by the non-collection of cleansing fees due to legal action e.g. in relation to Water Street, reduced economic activities in certain areas, and closure of a number of stalls for various reasons. The markets are the second largest area of revenue for the municipality. Taxes hold the number one spot.