“A Persistent Dictatorship”: Hamilton Green Warns President Ali Against City Takeover
By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Former Mayor of Georgetown and veteran political figure Hamilton Green has launched a scathing critique against the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), accusing the administration of orchestrating a “persistent dictatorship” to strip the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of its constitutional authority.
In an exclusive sit-down with Nightly News, the former Chief Citizen warned that the government’s current trajectory is not merely a policy dispute, but a “catastrophe” for local democracy that mirrors some of history’s most infamous authoritarian regimes.
The “Direct Management” Warning
The controversy centers on recent statements from President Irfaan Ali, who signaled the central government’s intent to take a more direct role in managing the capital city’s infrastructure and affairs.
- Mismanagement & Favoritism: Green interpreted the President’s remarks as a move to bypass elected officials to channel lucrative contracts and resources to “favored associates.”
- The “Dictatorship” Parallel: Drawing a chilling comparison, Green described the PPP/C’s tactics as a “disease” akin to historical dictatorships. He argued that the centralization of power away from locally elected officials is a hallmark of authoritarianism.
- Undermining the Ballot: Green posited that when the central government ignores the mandate of the citizens who elected the Mayor and Council, it renders the concept of local democracy meaningless.
The “Street Seizure” and Financial Starvation
Green pointed to the recent announcement by the Ministry of Public Works to take over 57 municipal streets as a prime example of the government’s “calculated” overreach.
- Blindsiding Leadership: The move reportedly took current Mayor Alfred Mentore by surprise, further highlighting the lack of consultation between the two tiers of government.
- The “Save the Situation” Strategy: Green accused the administration of a deliberate two-step maneuver: first, stripping the M&CC of financial and administrative authority to ensure failure, and then intervening to “save” the city as a means of justifying a total takeover.
- Powerless Leadership: By removing the Council’s ability to manage its own infrastructure and funds, Green argues the government is setting a dangerous precedent that undermines the very foundation of municipal governance.
A Call for Accountability
Throughout the interview, Green reminded President Ali that transparency and accountability are the bedrock of any functioning democracy. He warned that “reactively” writing letters or demonstrating discontent is insufficient; rather, the nation must recognize that the centralization of control threatens the effectiveness of local governance for all Guyanese.
For the former Mayor, the current struggle for Georgetown is a battle for the soul of the country’s democratic institutions. If the “disease” of centralization is allowed to spread, he warns, the precedent set today will haunt the nation for generations to come.
