By Svetlana Marshall
One of the country’s oldest burial places, Le Repentir Cemetery, took centre stage in the National Assembly today as the Government clashed with the Opposition over a motion that called on the Government to upgrade the historic facility, and implement a plan for its maintenance.
The motion was passed with amendments that were proposed by the Government, calling on the Assembly to support Government’s efforts to upgrade the cemetery.
It was Opposition Member of Parliament, Volda Lawrence, who presented the motion to the House, telling the Assembly that Le Repentir Cemetery has long been neglected.
She said it is not merely an issue of restoring a cemetery, but honoring the past, respecting the present, and safeguarding the future.
“Mr. Speaker, the Le Repentir Cemetery, established since1861, has been serving as the final resting place for generations of our citizens. Many of our forefathers, community leaders, and loved ones have been laid to rest within its hallowed grounds. Yet today, these grounds, which should be easily accessible, evoking a sense of peace, respect and reverence have become an ugly scene of neglect, decay and even danger,” MP Lawrence said.
Explaining the current state of the cemetery, the Opposition MP said the now expanded cemetery has deteriorated so much so that tombs have fallen into canals, some have cracked and in some cases vandalized, and completely broken.
Drainage within the cemetery is nearly non-existent, she said.
MP Lawrence said while the Georgetown City Council is tasked with maintaining the cemetery, it is well known that the City Council lacks adequate funds and manpower to provide critical services such as security, regular maintenance, and proper infrastructure.
“I propose the following to this house, to restore the cemetery’s infrastructure, ensuring proper drainage, clearing overgrowth and undertaking or executing repairs to damaged tombs. Implement a sustainable maintenance plan, providing the Georgetown City Council with the necessary resources; and improve security thereby ensuring that families can visit their loved ones in safety and peace,” MP Lawrence proposed.
But Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said the motion is a little too late, telling the Assembly that several months ago, the Government took a decision to upgrade cemeteries across the country including the Le Repentir Cemetery.
He said while the Government is not opposed to the maintenance of the cemetery, the excuse that the Georgetown City Council is unable to provide the necessary services due to lack of funds, is unacceptable, when the Council refuses to collect billions in rates and taxes owed.
“If the company, that is the holding facility for Congress Place just simply pay their rates and taxes, the issue of the enhancement of the Le Repentir Cemetery by the competent authority, which is the Mayor and City Council could be addressed in a week’s time. Just simply pay your rates and taxes,” Minister Edghill told his colleagues on the opposing side of the House.
He said the Motion has been presented to “the wrong assembly,” and ought to have been presented to City Hall, adding that under the law, it is the Council’s responsibility to maintain the cemetery.
Minister Edghill reminded the Assembly that attempts by the Government in 2021 to clean sections of the cemetery where the Enmore Martyrs have been laid to rest, were met with objections by the City Council.
Firing back at the Government, Opposition Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson said while Minister Edghill spoke of rates and taxes owed to the Council, he fell short of informing the House that Central Government owes the Council more than $13 Billion.
Adding his voice to the debate, Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones, said having failed to take control of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, the ruling PPP/C has resorted to stifling the Municipality of Georgetown.
“Being the political party that they are, they set out to do everything possible to make it difficult or a near impossible task for the Georgetown City Council to administer the city’s affairs,” the Opposition Chief Whip said.
MP Jones said it was under the Mayorship of Hamilton Green that the Lottery was introduced to Guyana with the aim of having the city receive 25% of the sales from the lottery. However, while the City benefited significantly from the initiative, including an annual sum of US$4M, the PPP/C Government terminated the arrangement, allowing to the funds to go directly to the Government.
Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul said for 23 years and counting, the PPP/C Administration, starved the City of Georgetown of resources. He said it was under the PPP/C that the Georgetown was “reduced to a garbage city”.
“After four and a half years of this People’s Progressive Party they now come to tell us, it is in a state it should not have been in. You created it in that state! All of you over there, you are responsible for the state of Georgetown right now. You are responsible for it, and you must not forget that!” MP Mahipaul told the House.
Like MP Jones, MP Mahipaul said the Government continues to punish the City for overwhelmingly supporting the Opposition.
“The People’s Progressive Party, they simply have a problem because they are not controlling Georgetown. Well, you will never control Georgetown because the people of Georgetown are sensible and they know who are responsible for having them in the state, they currently find themselves in. And in nine months’ time, they will show you what it is they can do,” MP Mahipaul said.
But Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag said the Government does not owe the Council $13B as suggested and the party owes nothing. Minister Parag reminded the House that the Municipality of Georgetown benefits from an annual subvention of $30M, in addition to added support provided on the ground with millions of dollars in investment.
Returning to his feet to set the record straight, Minister Edghill said the City has never looked as beautiful as it does today.
He said the Government continues to inject millions of dollars into the city and will not neglect the city.
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