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FOUR new committees were formed yesterday to tackle the major restoration of the capital city, following a lengthy meeting in the boardroom of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Kingston, Georgetown. Those attending the meeting included Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Norman Whittaker; Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy; Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn; and members of City Hall, including Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase- Green and Town Clerk, Carol Sooba.
Also present were members of the Private Sector Commission, including its Chairman Ronald Webster, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others.
Minister Benn, in making his suggestions at the meeting urged that responsible committees be identified with useful ideas in order to refresh the city.
He also noted that everyone needs to pay keen attention to Georgetown as the current garbage situation is “dangerous, unhealthy and very shameful.”
Executive member of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Kit Nascimento, endorsed Minister Benn’s position and went on to suggest that the government ought to look at the original Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) plan regarding the restoration of Georgetown. Nascimento then questioned why various elements and aspects of that plan are not being implemented.
Meanwhile, Webster highlighted that with the city’s current state, the risk of diseases is very high, while the criticism level has risen tremendously.
In this light, he proposed that the Local Government Ministry ought to save time by controlling the solid waste situation in Guyana, and he suggested that tipping fees should be introduced for persons who use the Haags Bosch Landfill which is under pressure through taking in more garbage than it was supposed to on a daily basis.
The PSC chairman noted too that some vacant unkempt lots and derelict buildings in the city warrant the earliest attention as they are major eyesores.
RECYCLING
Webster also suggested recycling as an option to assist with the garbage situation, pointing out that there are reliable companies who would be more than willing to assist with the situation if they are made a good and fair deal for their assistance.
He said further that the committees for the restoration of Georgetown should be delegated the tasks of finding solutions to these problems in a timely manner, and be answerable to the local government ministry.
Meanwhile, Minister Persaud noted that the city is at a decaying stage and more action is needed rather than just mere talk. He then highlighted the importance of public awareness in this matter, and moreover, the necessity for the resources to push these initiatives.
He further stated that the country’s environmental integrity depends on proper governance and planning. Persaud asserted, however, that the current effort being put in place to help in this situation must be recognised.
At the end of the meeting, most of those in attendance were in favour of forming committees to assist in the restoration of the capital.
The majority of those present were in favour of the committee, members were then selected to form the four committees which will be responsible for the restoration and enhancement of the city.
Also present were members of the Private Sector Commission, including its Chairman Ronald Webster, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others.
Minister Benn, in making his suggestions at the meeting urged that responsible committees be identified with useful ideas in order to refresh the city.
He also noted that everyone needs to pay keen attention to Georgetown as the current garbage situation is “dangerous, unhealthy and very shameful.”
Executive member of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Kit Nascimento, endorsed Minister Benn’s position and went on to suggest that the government ought to look at the original Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) plan regarding the restoration of Georgetown. Nascimento then questioned why various elements and aspects of that plan are not being implemented.
Meanwhile, Webster highlighted that with the city’s current state, the risk of diseases is very high, while the criticism level has risen tremendously.
In this light, he proposed that the Local Government Ministry ought to save time by controlling the solid waste situation in Guyana, and he suggested that tipping fees should be introduced for persons who use the Haags Bosch Landfill which is under pressure through taking in more garbage than it was supposed to on a daily basis.
The PSC chairman noted too that some vacant unkempt lots and derelict buildings in the city warrant the earliest attention as they are major eyesores.
RECYCLING
Webster also suggested recycling as an option to assist with the garbage situation, pointing out that there are reliable companies who would be more than willing to assist with the situation if they are made a good and fair deal for their assistance.
He said further that the committees for the restoration of Georgetown should be delegated the tasks of finding solutions to these problems in a timely manner, and be answerable to the local government ministry.
Meanwhile, Minister Persaud noted that the city is at a decaying stage and more action is needed rather than just mere talk. He then highlighted the importance of public awareness in this matter, and moreover, the necessity for the resources to push these initiatives.
He further stated that the country’s environmental integrity depends on proper governance and planning. Persaud asserted, however, that the current effort being put in place to help in this situation must be recognised.
At the end of the meeting, most of those in attendance were in favour of forming committees to assist in the restoration of the capital.
The majority of those present were in favour of the committee, members were then selected to form the four committees which will be responsible for the restoration and enhancement of the city.
The committees are Technical, Resource, Public Awareness and Solid Waste. Chairpersons for these committees would be meeting next Thursday for Terms of Reference of the respective committees.
