THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLG&RD) is concerned over several reports by workers employed under the Georgetown zone of the “Clean Up My Country” programme in Sophia. 

In a recent press release, the ministry said that it was reported that members of an Opposition political party who are employed as community enhancement workers under the Sophia Clean-Up Project are inciting anger among the other workers by saying that they are being robbed of what they rightfully should be earning.
The release further stated that in an interview, the community coordinator said, “Workers who are affiliates of a main Opposition party have been injecting negative thoughts into the minds of the other workers with the intention of creating confusion and conflict between him and the workers, and among the workers themselves.” The community coordinator said that in E-Field, the Opposition affiliates tried to make mischief by telling the other workers that the MLG&RD had given him money to cook for the teams and this has raised concern among the workers. The coordinator said it seems as though the plot by the Opposition members is to arouse anger among the team members.
The release indicated that the ministry is very concerned that this political gimmick is designed to arouse anger and disrupt the work flow of the Community Enhancement Project. Further, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development condemns this act of provocation, mischief and claims made by the recalcitrants and mischief-makers.
The ministry would also like to inform the public that the Government of Guyana Clean-Up My Country Programme which aims to improve the aesthetics and sanitation of communities, does not provide allowances for meals to workers. Workers from communities are contracted and are remunerated for their labour input. In addition, as part of the contractual arrangement between the community representatives and the MLG&RD, tools and safety gear are provided to each group.
The MLG&RD would also like to inform the Clean-Up My Country teams operating in excess of 40 communities across Georgetown to beware of these elements that are politicising the national programme and trying to deprive them of incomes.
The Sophia Clean-Up Project is thus far the largest community clean-up project under the Georgetown zone of the Clean-Up My Country Programme. Two hundred and twenty-five residents have been employed to clean their communities, along with nine field supervisors who have been employed to supervise the clean-up activities across 76 blocks.