Firstly, they must display a new approach to their work and their relations with the people they serve. Secondly, they must be trained to acquire the necessary skills to effectively manage the councils and thirdly, they must be accountable.

When these conditions are satisfied, President Bharrat Jagdeo says he will be prepared to devolve greater authority which could include the maintenance of sea defences and schools initially.

Asked whether the government would be willing to assist the cash-strapped New Amsterdam Town Council, the Head of State said he was willing to “look at the situation and see how I can help. I am trying to mobilise some more resources to see what we can do for New Amster-dam because it really needs a facelift.”

The 112-year-old township of some 30,000 people has been afflicted by a number of administrative and financial problems over the years, culminating with its present state of bankruptcy. Over the past few months it has encountered problems meeting its weekly and monthly obligations to pay employees.

President Jagdeo is adamant that “they have to manage their affairs. They can’t have it both ways...they can’t say to the government...keep out and when they run into trouble...you want us to come in. I am not interested in taking over any council but am concerned with the plight of the residents and that’s why we help.”

In a wide-ranging interview during his visit to East Berbice last weekend, the Head of State also lashed out at the council for its stance on the proposed Industrial Site. The council has maintained that the government must pay for the land on which the proposed site would be developed. The government on the other hand has refused.

“If they do not want the project in New Amsterdam, I am going to take it somewhere else. I will take it to another community where people are more receptive and let them [council] answer to the people of New Amster-dam why they are chasing [away] industries that could create jobs in the town.”

According to Jagdeo, the council should be stimulating industries to come and locate in New Amsterdam so more people could find jobs and the council can get more taxes. “The money we are putting into the development of the site comes from the Treasury and if the government has to pay for the land how could we put in the infrastructure to stimulate the investment?” he asked.

“The land does not belong to any one person...it belongs to the people of Guyana and if the council and the government have a partnership to bring business to New Amster-dam to create jobs, what is the issue?”

He referred to the council’s position as very narrow-minded, saying the government cannot be held at ransom. “I would have to do it in a community where people are more receptive to development because it seems the New Amsterdam Town Coun-cil does not want development,” he declared.

On the question of electricity supply to the region, the President disclosed that the Guyana Power and Light Inc. is in the process of purchasing some additional generating sets and a 1.5 megawatt set is expected to be sent to Corriverton to improve the supply in that area.

He also announced that Guysuco would be proceeding with its co-generation project at its new factory at Skeldon which is expected to produce approximately 16 megawatts of electricity. “GPL will have to buy the power because it would be substantially cheaper than purchasing fossil fuel generating sets,” he said, pointing out that Cabinet was paying close attention to the situation.

Agreeing that there is urgent need for a valuation exercise in NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council) areas countrywide, Jagdeo however questioned the call for higher rates when some councils were only collecting around 30 percent of their collectable rates and taxes. “You have to show that you are collecting around 80-85 percent then you can make a case that you are not collecting enough money.”

Noting that there was no excuse for not paying taxes, he posited that if people see development they would be willing to pay a bit more but the councils must also make an effort to collect their taxes.

Asked about the bauxite industry in the Berbice River, Jagdeo said he met recently with representatives of the second largest aluminium company in the world, RUSAL, while in Russia. “They did say that they were interested and will soon dispatch a team of geologists to Guyana to explore the possibility of investing here. If things go well this could eventually lead to them building an aluminium plant in Guyana. This would be a huge investment which could bring back bauxite to its former glory days in the Berbice River,” he explained.

Commenting on problems of management and sustainability at some President’s Youth Choice Initiative projects, the President said there was an agreement that the projects would have to be managed and sustained by young people in the various areas. “This however does not preclude them from involving adults with the required skills and expertise including businessmen in the Board of Management. Young people have to learn to manage...they asked for these projects and would have to learn to do things. However if young people are unable to run these projects we would have to find new groups to use and run them. I am not prepared to allow these facilities to disappear or deteriorate. If the young people cannot get their act together we will find new people,” he emphasised.

During his visit to Region Six, the President commissioned three projects at Rose Hall, Port Mourant and Crabwood Creek. However the New Amsterdam multi-purpose project which has met with several setbacks and is yet to be commissioned is faced with a management crisis.

The youth co-ordinator of the project has been unable to come up with a management plan and to assemble a management team. As a result, Community Relations Officer attached to the Officer of the President, Faizal Jafarally who is based in New Amsterdam has assumed responsibility for the project. He is already in the process of identifying members of the building’s Board of Management.