AS Guyana prepares to celebrate her 49th Independence Anniversary tomorrow, embodied in a spirit of national unity touted by the newly-elected government, several civil society groups along with the business community pitched in yesterday in the beautification project currently being executed across Georgetown. Upon appointment to office, President David Granger immediately declared that the traditional flag-raising ceremony on Independence Day will now be shifted to the Independence Arch located on Brickdam.

At this point, a rehabilitation exercise was started to enhance the environs to facilitate the ceremonial event.
Simultaneously, several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and business entities, supported by volunteers, extended their support in tackling the improper solid waste disposal, which has plagued the ‘Garden City’ for decades.
Spearheaded by University of Guyana (UG) student, Sherod Duncan, the initiative executed yesterday was described as “an overwhelming success” by Duncan who boasted that the joint effort of the team enabled the cleaning of the entire Waterloo Street, Cummingsburg area.
According to Duncan, the dedicated bunch arrived before 7:00am, and immediately began pooling their efforts to sustain the national cause. He explained that the support received was heartening since the business community did not only lend support in terms of equipment and other resources, but actually sent staff out to manually contribute to the exercise. This, Duncan said, was unimaginable since resources such as garbage bags, rakes, spades and food were already provided by these companies, mainly Gizmos and Gadgets and John Lewis Styles.

But this contribution to national enhancement was not limited to yesterday’s efforts, as Duncan explained that plans are underway to aid in the clean-up exercise at the National Stadium, following the inauguration ceremony to be held tomorrow.
Additionally, next Saturday, an exhibition will be hosted through a collaborative effort with the Guyana Environment Initiative (GEI), a recently formed environmental protection group.
And Duncan said two other clean-up exercises are expected to be held on the day along Thomas Street, between Church and Quamina Streets and at the intersection of Camp and Regent Streets. He explained that these exercises will also be joint efforts by his team and Green Acres School, which has already indicated their support.
The groups represented at yesterday’s activities included Gizmos and Gadgets; John Lewis Styles; Ruimveldt Life Improvement Centre; Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC); Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM); Come Alive Network (CANI); and several independent volunteers.
Across Georgetown, other clean-up exercises have been ongoing in several communities supported by residents of the areas.

Guyana will celebrate its 49th Independence Anniversary tomorrow after gaining independence from Britain in 1966.

By Ravin Singh