“A Strategy of Stifling”: MP Sherod Duncan Blames Government for Georgetown’s Decay
By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Adding his voice to the growing opposition chorus, Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan has accused the PPP/C administration of a “decades-long” campaign to stymie the work of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). Speaking on his morning program FYI, Duncan argued that the physical deterioration of the capital is a direct result of the central government’s blunt refusal to collaborate with a municipality it does not politically control.
Duncan’s remarks come as the fight for the capital intensifies following President Irfaan Ali’s recent “ultimatum” for a PPP/C-led city council.
The Le Repentir Case Study: “Consistency vs. One-Offs”
Duncan used the current state of the Le Repentir Cemetery as a prime example of what he calls the government’s “performative” maintenance strategy.
- Broken Promises: He reminded viewers that ahead of the 2023 Local Government Elections, the government promised to take over the cleaning and maintenance of the cemetery as a priority.
- The Reality: While roads were paved within the grounds, Duncan noted that the vegetation and general upkeep have been neglected. “You could come one time and have a massive cleanup exercise… but in a couple days the grass is going to grow back,” Duncan remarked, emphasizing that leadership is judged by consistency, not “one-off” measures.
Financial Strangulation: A 1970s Tax Rate
The MP highlighted the massive funding gap that continues to cripple the M&CC, pointing out that the city is being forced to manage modern challenges with an antiquated revenue model.
- The Budget Gap: The city operates on a budget of roughly GY$5 billion to $7 billion annually.
- The Comparison: Duncan juxtaposed this with the University of Guyana, which is spending GY$14.5 billion this year for 5,000 students. He argued that it is mathematically impossible for the city to provide services for hundreds of thousands of residents and commuters on half of a university’s budget.
- Staffing Cuts: He noted that City Hall once employed over 1,000 workers to maintain areas like the cemetery, but a lack of government support and ballooning costs have forced deep cuts to the municipal workforce.
For MP Sherod Duncan, the decay of the capital is not a matter of municipal incompetence, but a political choice by the central government. He warned that as the 2026 Local Government Elections approach, the public should be wary of new promises of “transformation.” According to Duncan, the only way to save Georgetown is through a genuine partnership that respects the autonomy of the city council—not a “hostile takeover” that conditions resources on political loyalty.
