THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has commenced its distribution of several tractors and trailers and household garbage receptacles which were procured under the Clean-Up My Country Programme to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), a press release stated. So far, Regions 2, 3, 4 and 5 have received their quota of the assets. NDCs in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) received four tractor and trailers and 100 metal bins. NDCs in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) received 12 tractor and trailers and 350 household metal garbage receptacles. Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) received eight tractor and trailers along with 375 household receptacles while Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) received 7 tractor and trailers and 250 metal receptacles.

The assets were handed over by Minister Norman Whittaker, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, at the Regional Office of each of the Regions. At each handing over ceremony, Minister Whittaker expressed similar concerns and made similar pronouncements.
Whittaker pointed out that after reviewing the 2015 estimates which were submitted to the Ministry for the regions’ work programme, he noticed that not much emphasis was placed on the sanitation and aesthetics of the environment. As a result, Whittaker recommended that “some of the NDCs effect changes to illustrate more resources going towards maintenance of the environment.”
In addition, Minister Whittaker informed the Councils that they should “prepare a work schedule to also reflect how the tractors and trailers will be utilised.
According to Minister Whittaker, the Council of each of the Regions will be responsible for the placement of the receptacles in public spaces which will help to address the issue of persons dumping along the roadside.
Minister Whittaker expressed concerns about accountability of the assets and told the Councils “to institute a Works Committee” where “the Council has to submit a monthly financial statement to the Ministry”.
As part of the Clean-Up My Country Programme, allocations were made under the Regional aspect of the National Clean-Up Programme to procure assets, including 5 mini excavators, 45 tractors and trailers, brush cutters, metal garbage receptacles and plastic bags with the aim of strengthening the capacity of the Local Authority bodies across the ten Administrative Regions so the clean-up programme can be sustained at the regional level.
Next week, the Bartica Interim Management Committee (IMC) is expected to receive one mini excavator along with one tractor and trailer, followed by the other regions, the release concluded.