Enough has been said about the disgraceful garbage situation

and general environment of Georgetown as well as the multitude of excuses by City Hall.
The fact is the situation is a national embarrassment and disgrace which did not happen overnight, but developed over a long period during which there was total inaction by City Hall.Consequently, the problem became a monster.
The problem was never nipped in the bud and, as is customary in Guyana, we are always reactive rather than proactive.
And almost on every occasion we react when a problem reaches a precipice and by then it becomes virtually unmanageable. That is what has happened with the garbage problem. And to further aggravate the problem, the littering laws have never been enforced by City Hall.
The problem was multiplied by the growth of illegal vending across the city and the increasing use of plastics and Styrofoam containers.
What is beyond doubt is that City Hall lacks the will, commitment and capacity to deal with this intolerable situation.
The residents of Georgetown should consider themselves fortunate as there has been no outbreak of any epidemic as a result of the atrocious environmental state of Georgetown. But we must be wary of the fact that not because it has not happened so far that it cannot or will not happen.
There is no more need for lamenting, complaining and talking about the problem, rather, there has to be persistent, firm and decisive action to bring an end to this plague once and for all.. Blame-throwing and excuses will not help the situation, because the residents are suffering from an untenable environmental situation and our once “garden city has been unfortunately transformed into a “garbage city.” which City Hall seems to be proud of.
In dealing with the problem, a long-term and lasting solution has to be found. No piecemeal solution will suffice because in the end we will return to square one. Therefore, the problem has to be tackled on three fronts: devise proper waste disposal systems; ruthless enforcing of littering laws; and most important, implementation of a sustained and comprehensive education, awareness and sensitisation programme on the ills of littering, improper garbage disposal and the need to love and care our environment.. As regards the latter, it should become an integral part of the school curriculum, but the adult population must be targeted as well through the development of appropriate strategies and programmes.
If people are aware and sensitive to the issues surrounding proper environmental practices, then the disposal of waste will become less burdensome.
On this note there was an encouraging announcement that with regard to the age-old issue of solid waste management in the city, the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud stated that Cabinet has approved tougher regulations, which would have been signed on June 5 under the EPA Act.
The minister will also be looking at the appointment of litter wardens. The judiciary has already been written to, requesting special courts in the magistracy, where environmental matters can be dealt with. Fines and a ticketing system will also be instituted.
“We hope that from an enforcement standpoint, this will lead to greater respect and compliance across the country,” Minister Persaud said.
The minister referred to the garbage situation in the city as a “national embarrassment”, and said, “it is sad that the City Council does not seem to be motivated enough to get its act together; instead, it seems more inclined to be involved in politics and internal city warfare.”
But while there is need for tougher environmental laws and penalties, equally or even more important is the need for their implementation and uncompromising enforcement.
Guyana’s image is under threat with the current atrocious garbage situation so we need to act now.