Now that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the spending at City Hall is in its third week, there have been numerous
testimonies submitted to the Commission already, most of which are complaints made out against embattled Town Clerk Royston King.
But outspoken economist and former Presidential Advisor, Ramon Gaskin, says that while “he is the main man” in the controversy that is taking place at City Hall, based on his “privileged position,” he should not be the only subject to be put in the spotlight.
Gaskin argued that the culture of mismanagement and unaccountability at City Hall started over 20 years ago and never stopped, only getting worse. He said it began under the leadership of former Mayor Hamilton Green and continued with Patricia Chase Green.
“These two people should not be forgotten. Royston King is a product of Hamilton Green and Chase Green too,” he said, explaining that even while King would have more direct responsibility, City Hall is run by a Council where most decisions are made.
“The culture developed over the years, there has to do with corruption and incompetence. The so-called elected Councils are a useless group as well, and the corrupt group of managers, when you have those two… nothing good could come out of it.”
Gaskin is not confident that the upcoming Local Government Election (LGE) will bring any changes to the way things are done at City Hall. He is hopeful however that the CoI will look at all the matters and make suitable recommendations for some changes.
In 2012, the economist conducted an audit at the Georgetown municipality; and, in some instances, recommendations were made for criminal charges to be pressed against those culpable of several financial improprieties that were uncovered.
Gaskin is expected to provide the evidence to substantiate his recommendations based on that audit to the CoI soon. He explained that he had produced and delivered three comprehensive reports to the then Government which had ordered a CoI.
At the public hearings, which commenced on September 24, it was revealed that a plot of riverfront land, repo
rtedly not the property of City Hall was leased to a shipping company by King since April 5, 2016, at the cost of G$625,000 per year.
It was also heard that the Town Clerk allegedly collected monies from nine specific drivers of the Route 44 (Industry) route. A rental of G$3000 from each of the
Patricia Chase Green
drivers was collected to occupy a stretch of the roadway that spans from the Avenue of the Republic to Hinck Street. Consequently, some 45 drivers are left to fend for themselves as the area remains occupied by the said drivers.
Only recently, it was also reported by sections of the media that King also purchased a property located at Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara, for G$30 million. This was confirmed by his Attorney Andrew Pollard to be true.
The hearings are expected to conclude on October 31. The necessary actions will be taken by the Commission after conclusions are drawn from the Inquiry.
Over the years, City Hall has complained about lack of funds, which is a mere contradiction to its excessive spending. Concerns were raised over this issue, and it was noted that while the building is in need of repairs, millions of dollars have been squandered.
King has been sent on leave pending the outcome of this CoI. (Samuel Sukhnandan)
