San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray has publicly criticised the administration of the San Fernando City Corporation and called on Chief Executive Officer Deodat Ragoobar to take control of his staff.Speaking at the Corporation's last statutory meeting for the year, Coudray expressed frustration over the numerous complaints by councillors which have not been addressed by the administration."Mr CEO, I really believe that the administration needs to buck up. I think we will have to meet Mr CEO, to discuss the performance of the administration," she said.
Coudray highlighted the lack of efficiency in areas such as public health and infrastructural work. Her comments were endorsed by both People's Partnership and PNM councillors.Councillors Anthony Ramkissoon, Robert Parris, and Daren Mc Leod were all critical of incomplete work which they said had hindered them from fully representing their communities.Coudray also expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of rehabilitation work on Short Street, a project she had promised to complete upon her assuming office in 2010.
"Mr CEO, I am stressing that you need to take control of your administration. We need some more competent bodies to work with the people."Coudray said the lack of progress on several projects has begun to frustrate the people of San Fernando.There were also heated debates over several incomplete projects around the city, prompting Coudray to threaten to have the meeting adjourned. She had to remind acting City Engineer Dennis Albert that respect must be given to all members around the table as he and Ragoobar deliberated over the non completion of the Vistabella Bridge.
Albert told the Council he saw no urgency over the construction of the Vistabella bridge and councillors began to voice their displeasure.This prompted Coudray to again call for greater efficiency from workers: "Mr CEO, I think we need to clear up something here. Only Council makes decisions for this Corporation. People make recommendations to this Council and it is up to Council whether they accept those recommendations or not.
"I want to put that on the table and make it clear to all involved."