By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The long-simmering tension between the Central Government and the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has reached a boiling point. Mayor Alfred Mentore is accusing the administration of a “brazen power grab” after 22 of the capital’s most prominent streets were stripped from municipal control with the stroke of a ministerial pen.
The move, executed through a series of orders slipped into the Official Gazette on March 20, 2026, reclassifies these thoroughfares as “Public Roads” under the Roads Act, placing them under the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Works—effective immediately.
“Blindsided” by the Gazette
Mayor Mentore told Nightly News that there was “absolutely no consultation” regarding the transfer. Like many city residents, the Mayor claimed he only discovered the change after receiving frantic phone calls from stunned citizens.
- The “Secret” Reclassification: The Ministry of Public Works utilized the Roads Act to move iconic streets—many of which have been under City Hall’s care for over a century—into the central government’s portfolio.
- Lack of Respect: Mentore described the government’s approach as “obnoxious,” suggesting the administration is operating as if Guyana is a “one-party state” with no regard for local democratic authorities.
“I am obviously blindsided by it… They believe everything must happen from a central standpoint. The citizens and the local authorities will have to stand up and object to these issues.” — Mayor Alfred Mentore
Financial Chaos: The Battle for Billboards
The implications of this “heist” go far beyond asphalt and drainage. The transfer has immediately thrown the city’s commercial and audited books into a state of “chaos.”
- Revenue Streams: Many of these 22 streets are lined with lucrative billboards and advertising structures operating under permits issued by the M&CC.
- Contractual Uncertainty: With the change in ownership, the legal standing of these commercial arrangements is now in question. The Mayor warns that this move systematically guts the Council’s ability to generate independent revenue.
- Audited Assets: These streets are listed as municipal assets; their sudden removal creates a massive discrepancy in the city’s financial reporting and infrastructure management plans.
Opposition Reaction: “Incremental Disempowerment”
The opposition coalition, APNU, issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday, March 26, 2026, viewing the move as part of a broader strategy to cripple the capital city’s leadership.
- Systemic Removal: The opposition argues that power and revenue are being “systemically removed” from local institutions to consolidate control at the center.
- The “Cripple” Effect: Rather than an overt dismantling of City Hall, the opposition claims the government is using “incremental disempowerment” to render the municipality irrelevant.
At a Glance: The “Street Seizure” Conflict
| Feature | Details |
| Action | 22 Georgetown streets reclassified as “Public Roads.” |
| Legal Mechanism | Ministerial Orders under the Roads Act (March 20, 2026). |
| New Authority | Ministry of Public Works (Central Government). |
| City Hall’s Grievance | Zero consultation and loss of advertising revenue. |
| Impact | Disruption of municipal audits and commercial permits. |
Conclusion: A City Divided
As the Ministry of Public Works prepares to take over maintenance of these 22 iconic routes, the M&CC is left weighing its legal options. While the government may argue this move is about “efficiency” and “modernization,” the Mayor and City Council see it as the latest chapter in a campaign to starve the municipality of its autonomy.
