Expenditure

The amount of $8.5M has been allocated for training programmes since these were described as being "crucial to any improvement to the administration and general operation."

While no amount was listed for drainage, Williams said that this year there would be desilting of the North Ruim-veldt sideline Dam canal, Cane View avenue canal, Cummings canal outfall, Commerce street outfall, Crithclow street canal, Roxanne Burnham canal, David Rose street canal, Railway Line and Middleton street main drain and Duncan street canal.

It is also proposed to desilt street and alleyway drains in Kitty, Lacytown, Kingston and Campbellville. Additionally, maintenance works would be done in Bourda, Alberttown, Queenstown, Cummingsburg, Stabroek, Lodge, Wortmanville, West Ruimveldt and North and South Ruimveldt.

The general works section of the City Engineer's Department would undertake these projects.

And in addition to the expenditure in the drainage section, it is also proposed that additional maintenance and rehabilitation work be executed using the council's work force and equipment.

These works include: the maintenance of street and alleyway drains in, Bourda, Alberttown, Queenstown, Cummingsburg, Stabroek, Lodge, Wortmanville, West Ruimveldt, and North and South Ruimveldt; capital road works in Bent street, Werk-en-Rust, Almond street, Albert street to Irving street, Crown street - Albert street to Irving street, Brutus street in Agricola and Middle street in McDoom.

Additionally, maintenance will be done on Anira, Abary, Forshaw, Albert and Princes streets and also Sugar Welfare road.

The sum of $175M has been allocated for road works in various sections.

It is also proposed for culverts to be installed in Kitty, North Ruimveldt, Newtown and Campbellville among others while bridges will be replaced at Castello Housing Scheme and Hogg street and Sussex street. Renovations are also proposed for City Hall, the former Chest Clinic building and Kitty market.

Twenty-five million dollars has been budgeted to provide street lighting.

Also the council is to access a US$1M loan from the Inter-American Bank (IDB) negotiated and signed since 1999, for the improvement of the solid waste management in Georgetown.

Of the possible sites identified by the IDB consultants, Eccles has been chosen, and Williams said hopefully during the latter part of this year, there may be movements in this area in the form of the council acquiring the 300 acres identified and an environmental assessment performed as a precursor to land filling in that area. The land has already been acquired from Guysuco.

Williams in his two-hour speech said there was a need for the completion of the city business/strategic plans for short, medium and long-term plans of the city.

He also looked forward to the finalisation and approval of the Greater Georgetown Development Plan to bring an end to disorderliness in the city; council's ability and willingness to be financially prudent; and for transparency in its various business transactions. All items of expenditure must be subjected to financial, accounting and budgetary standards, Williams said, and also due caution must also be exercised in subsequent consideration of the subhead grants and donations.

He also noted that City Hall's current software and hardware capabilities would have to be improved to cater for the needs of property owners.

In addition Williams hoped for the development of strong and solid partnerships with critical stakeholders and local communities at the level of the decision-making process and also for the active co-operation and support of all citizens of Georgetown.