President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday used the opening of the Aubrey Barker Road — now a major four-lane thoroughfare developed by the central government — to signal strong political interest in a People’s Progressive Party/Civic-led City Council, arguing that Georgetown requires decisive leadership to overcome decades of poor management.
Addressing residents and officials at the ceremony, the president made his position unmistakably clear.
“I’m interested in seeing a People’s Progressive Party Civic-led city council. I’m interested in seeing strong government, strong leadership at City Hall. So don’t guess what I’m saying… my intentions are clear and the intentions of the PPP Civic are as clear as ever. We want the chance to run this city because this city is better than what it has today.”
He said the party is prepared to take responsibility for transforming the capital and delivering results.
“It is time that we will rise up and give the People’s Progressive Party Civic that opportunity to lead this city into progress, prosperity, and to deliver good governance for the people of Georgetown. Don’t second-guess—it is clear to me.”
Georgetown’s municipal administration has long been controlled by the People’s National Congress Reform and its affiliates, with years of criticism from auditors, media reports, and residents pointing to weak financial oversight, poor service delivery, and declining infrastructure.
Auditor General reports and coverage by local outlets have repeatedly highlighted issues including mounting debt, ineffective revenue collection, irregular garbage disposal, clogged drainage systems, and deteriorating roads — all contributing to persistent flooding and reduced quality of life in the capital.
Ali pointed to infrastructure as central to any serious transformation of the city.
“If Georgetown is to become the finest city in the Caribbean, then its infrastructure must match that ambition. A modern city cannot run on broken roads. A growing economy cannot move on yesterday’s infrastructure.”
He also addressed drainage — a chronic problem in the low-lying city — while signalling the government’s readiness to intervene.
“The drainage—I am not interested in casting blame. If they don’t want to open the kokers and maintain the drains, we will show the people of this city we are ready to do it, and with their support, we will do it continuously.”
The Aubrey Barker Road upgrade forms part of a broader push by the central government to modernise infrastructure and ease congestion along key corridors, even as longstanding municipal issues persist.
Despite the criticisms, the president struck an optimistic tone about the capital’s future under new leadership.
“If Georgetown is to become the finest city, which it will be under a People’s Progressive Party Civic City Council… we will make it happen, trust me. To the people of Georgetown, we love you. To the streets of Georgetown we will change you so the people will love you too.”
Analysts say the remarks underscore growing political focus on City Hall, with control of Georgetown seen as critical to aligning local governance with the country’s wider development agenda.