THE unhygienic practice of the dumping of waste and debris continues to be an issue that the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown has to grapple with and there seems to be no end to it.

While the practice of dumping is often blamed on the homeless, persons of unsound mind and junkies, the focus should be placed on some of the very people the practice affects the most, the store owners and businessmen.
Yesterday the Georgetown Mayor and City Council released a statement calling on store owners and holders to cease dumping of debris into the nearby drains and trenches. The practice, the council pointed out, seems to be more prevalent among those persons operating stores along Regent Street in Georgetown.
City Hall stated that it has been able to confirm that these persons are sweeping the trash from the business places at the end or beginning of the business day into the drains which line their premises.
This practice also affects the flow of water in the drains. The debris, as pointed out by the council, includes dust, bits of plastics, and other packaging materials. These are usually swept into the drains by the workers who are employed by the business owners, the release contends.
The Georgetown Mayor and City Council reminded the errant persons that the city by-laws Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28.01 Part 1, section 9 states:
“It shall not be lawful for anyone to throw any dirty water or other fluid, fruit skins, seeds or other refuse on pavements or foot-path”
City Hall said the very workers of businesses can be seen washing the pavements with soapy slippery liquids at the front of their stores early in the morning and late at night, as late as 21:00hrs.
City Hall also used the opportunity to point out that many citizens are still indulging in indiscriminate dumping of refuse in different sections of the city.
In the central commercial areas, Water Street, Regent Street and Robb Street, persons are still throwing garbage wherever they see fit. It gives Georgetown a bad name and image, the release added.
When these heaps of garbage and debris are formed, they in turn act as breeding ground for flies, rodents and roaches, according to the council. As such they are urging those responsible for the practice, which is nothing short of unfriendly, to cease this with immediate effect.
The release was signed by the Council’s Public Relations Officer, Royston King.