THE Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government and the Region 2 Administration has handed over four new John Deere 5076 tractors and trailers along with two hundred metal bins to sustain the Clean-up My Country programme in Region 2.Minister Norman Whittaker handed over the tractors and trailers along with the metal bins last Wednesday in the regional compound at Anna Regina to officials of the Anna Regina Town Council, Neighborhood Democratic Councils of Good Hope-Pomona, Aberdeen-Zorg -en-Vlugt, Annandale-Riverstown and Charity- Urasara.

The Minister said the equipment was purchased with state funds from the $500M under the ‘Clean-up My Country’ programme. He noted that the new tractors, trailers and metal bins would fulfill another promise by the PPP/C Government to sustain the Clean-up My Country programme and keep the environment clean and healthy.

He said in the tenth Parliament a sum of $1B was approved for the Clean-up My Country programme. According to the Minister part of the programme focused on how the local authorities can be helped to keep the environment clean and build greater capacity to sustain the Clean-up My Country programme.

Minister Whittaker said the activity is about giving NDCs and the Anna Regina Town Council additional resources to sustain the programme. He noted that it is a measure of giving support but not to take over responsibilities of NDCs or the Town Council.

The Minister said the issue of accommodation and security for the tractors and trailers are of major importance. He said the equipment was purchased with state resources and so it cannot be allowed to be abused or be parked on the roadside.
Coordinator of the Clean-up My Country programme, Mr. Bramanand Singh said the handing-over of the tractors, trailers and metal bins along with garbage bags would complement the other side of the programme. He pointed out that the tractors and trailers should not be used for transporting solid waste but for carrying materials for road maintenance work in the respective NDCs.

He also advised that the metal bins should be placed at strategic points to strengthen the garbage receptors so as to avoid the unnecessary dumping of garbage in public places.

Region 2 Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud said there is lot more to be done in the Region in terms of solid waste disposal. He called for a cleaner and healthy environment and for residents to cooperate and keep their surroundings clean. The Chairman also thanked the Government for giving the equipment to sustain the Clean-up My Country programme in Region 2. (Rajendra Prabhulall)