“The Blame Game Ends Now”: Minister Manickchand Calls Out City Council for East Ruimveldt’s Neglect
By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
EAST RUIMVELDT, GEORGETOWN — Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, has laid the years of “abandonment” in East Ruimveldt squarely at the feet of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). Speaking to a large crowd of residents who braved inclement weather on Friday, March 27, 2026, the Minister declared that the era of jurisdictional finger-pointing is over, as the central government officially takes over the community’s development agenda.
The high-level visit, which included Minister of Labour Komal Chand and Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs, follows a recent walkthrough by President Irfaan Ali.
A “Protracted Cycle of Neglect”
Minister Manickchand painted a grim picture of how East Ruimveldt has been caught in a “jurisdictional trap” between the M&CC and central government agencies. She argued that while leaders argue over who is responsible, the residents are the ones left with unrepaired roads, clogged drains, and uncollected garbage.
- Accountability: The Minister noted that the high turnout of residents was a clear sign that the community is ready to hold its leaders accountable.
- The “Bottom Line”: Manickchand dismissed the M&CC’s frequent claims that the government deliberately withholds funds to hinder their operations. She insisted that for the parent in East Ruimveldt, the only thing that matters is that “the garbage didn’t get picked up and the playground isn’t working.”
“There has been some delight in City Council pointing at government and government pointing at City Council… The bottom line is you didn’t get your garbage picked up, you didn’t get your roads built, your drain didn’t build or your playground working. That’s the bottom line.” — Minister Priya Manickchand
Building a “Platform for Plenty”
In a personal appeal to the parents in attendance, the Minister spoke about the government’s vision to provide a platform for the next generation—regardless of their career paths.
- Evolving Aspirations: She noted that today’s youth aspire to be more than just doctors or lawyers, citing interests in becoming YouTubers, chefs, or truck drivers.
- Government’s Role: The Minister pledged that the government’s intervention is aimed at ensuring every child in East Ruimveldt has the infrastructure and support to succeed in whatever they choose to do.
The East Ruimveldt Transformation Plan
To signal that the “blame game” has indeed ended, the ministerial team announced several immediate and long-term infrastructural enhancements:
- Modernized Recreational Space: The community playground will be transformed into a modern facility featuring a walking track, an upgraded basketball court, and improved amenities while preserving current green spaces.
- Sanitation Boost: Garbage collection in the area will immediately double, moving to a twice-weekly schedule.
- Drainage Overhaul: Massive drainage upgrades are earmarked to tackle the longstanding flooding issues that have plagued the community for decades.
The East Ruimveldt Intervention
| Issue | Previous Status | New Government Commitment |
| Garbage Collection | Irregular/Neglected | Twice Weekly |
| Playground | Dilapidated | Modern Facility with Walking Track |
| Drainage | Clogged/Frequent Flooding | Comprehensive System Upgrade |
| Responsibility | Contested (M&CC vs Gov) | Central Government Lead |
A New Chapter for Ruimveldt
The Minister’s “scathing attack” on the City Council marks a definitive shift in how the capital’s wards are being managed. By moving East Ruimveldt “firmly onto the government’s agenda,” the administration is betting that direct intervention will succeed where municipal oversight has failed. For the residents, the hope is that the end of the “blame game” finally leads to the start of the “building phase.”
