THE indiscriminate dumping of refuse in canals and along road shoulders is an environmentally unfriendly practice that could have serious repercussions on people’s health and creates problems in the drainage system.
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Faizal Jaffarally made the observation during a recent visit to Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice.
“We have a serious problem in the way the residents dispose of their solid waste and this is prevalent in many communities. Residents ought to take responsibility in ensuring that solid waste is properly disposed,” he urged.
Jaffarally referred to several areas where residents wantonly dump garbage and called on them to acknowledge the input of the Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in the areas of drainage and irrigation.
He appealed, as well, for support to the new private garbage collection system which is a programme of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Garbage bags
“We are asking the residents to cooperate with the private contractor in ensuring that their solid waste is placed in garbage bags and barrels to ensure a smooth collection process,” he urged.
The MP made an appeal, too, for Berbicians to act as advisers to each other and cooperate by engaging in community work to maintain their surroundings.
“Community work can do so much for the enhancement of the surroundings if, once a month, residents of each area can join hands by coming out to do a bit of clearing and cleaning. It will make a big difference,” he assured.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, is doing its part and we need everyone to support our venture which contributes to the development of Guyana,” Jaffarally maintained.
In several areas, garbage has clogged waterways and playgrounds and Jaffarally sees that as a backward step, as the Government strives to take Guyana forward.
“We cannot attain perfection with bad actions; safe practices will breed progress,” he insisted.

(By Michael Khan)