-urges that maintenance is key in promoting tourism

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar on Friday at a press conference said he is heartened by the good response received from communities as it relates to the nationwide clean-up exercise, which is currently being executed by the Government and urged that maintenance is key in boosting Guyana’s tourism.The President noted that the ongoing clean-up campaign is one which is a “major priority” for the Government of Guyana, taking into consideration the current state of the country. In addition to the proposed amount allocated in the 2014 Budget which will be directed to the Regional Democratic Councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, the President explained that the additional sum of $1B which was attributed independently towards this clean-up exercise, will aid significantly in this effort.
Work in Georgetown according to Mr. Ramotar has “picked up considerably” and many areas are beginning to look “far better” than they were when the campaign started.
“Seven main canals in the city are being de-silted. Hopefully that will reduce the incidence of flooding during the rainy period in our country. There also has to be a lot of work in the internal drains so that the water could get to the main canals” the Head of State said.
The exercise will however, not conclude after the ‘cleap-up’ but will extend after, into maintenance and preservation of the areas which would have been enhanced through this initiative. “Important is the maintenance of the conditions when we would have gotten back our country in a prestige state” President Ramotar said.
As such, the President made a call for the continued involvement of communities in this regard so as to assist in the maintenance while noting that the fruitfulness of their involvement will not only result in health benefits but economic benefits as well.
He pointed out that the economic benefit from such positive activities will result in the growth of tourism in Guyana which will in turn aid in development. “And I know when people talk about tourism in Guyana, a lot of people think about the tourism product in the interior but Georgetown itself is a very beautiful city” Mr. Ramotar said, noting that along the coast there are some very beautiful areas to visit.
He also highlighted that a lot more activities of this nature can be expected to be rolled out almost immediately. In addition, efforts are also being made by the administration to provide equipment in all Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils so that the issue of cleaning and preserving can be adequately addressed. “We are procuring equipment for these bodies,” he assured.
Government, through the $1B clean-up my country initiative, is expected to spearhead an effort that will result in the capital city, all other towns, and rural villages implementing a ‘Clean Up My Community’ action plan that will address the collection and removal of garbage as well as the reporting of residents who irresponsibly dispose of their garbage. Citizens, businesses and institutions will be tasked with ensuring that their garbage is properly discarded in appropriate receptacles. Efforts will be made to enlist the support of the private sector and other institutions to assume greater involvement in helping to maintain the environment in which they operate.

(By Ravin Singh)