CABINET will further deliberate today on the one-billion-dollar National Clean-Up Campaign which was announced in April by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh during his 2014 National Budget presentation.

Local Government Minister Normal Whittaker confirmed yesterday that already there have been moves to ensure that as soon as the Ministers give the go-ahead, rolling out of the initiative will hit the ground running.
He also told the Guyana Chronicle that a committee has been named to spearhead the project and, since its formation, there have been several meetings and deliberations.
The committee is made up of representatives and technical persons from the Ministries of Agriculture, Local Government and Regional Development, Natural Resources and the Environment, Public Works, Tourism and Finance.
They will collaborate with others from the Private Sector.
With respect to the $500M set aside for Georgetown alone, the Mayor and City Council will also be brought on board to assist the process.

Most vigorous
Given the various sectoral involvement, it is expected that the countrywide drive will be one of the most vigorous and effective projects launched in recent times, taking into account the available resources both human and physical which would be channelled into the exercise.
Proposals have been put forward by the committee on the way forward in addressing the work but Minister Whittaker said some of the priorities of the overall project are yet to be determined in terms of what is done and in which areas.
The campaign will, however, see the desilting of main canals and outfalls, removal of garbage from roadways, parapets and alleyways, servicing of kokers and sluices, clearing of cemeteries and illegal dumpsites and several other major and critical works.
Of importance, too, will be the aspect of awareness and educational programmes to ensure the sustainability of the undertaking.
The Minister added, too, that much attention will be paid to the issue of solid waste collection and disposal especially in Georgetown and its environs.
The works to be carried out in Georgetown will be divided according to the ten wards of the city where the more critical will be identified and addressed.
Following today’s Cabinet meeting, it is likely that the next phase of the clean-up, the physical works would begin.
After the announcement of the initiative in April, Mayor Hamilton Green called it ‘A National Joke’ but many other Guyanese took to the social media and commended the move, expressing their anticipation that the filthy appearance of the capital will be a thing of the past.

(By Leroy Smith)