IN an effort to restore Georgetown to its former glory, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has called on the business community to come out and lend a helping hand as they embark on a massive clean-up initiative.During a meeting with members of the business community at City Hall, Georgetown’s Mayor Hamilton Green issued the call and posed the challenge that by “Christmas 2015, Georgetown can be seen as the golden city of the Caribbean, if we all work together to restore the glory to the Garden City.”

Highlighting the importance of a clean environment, the mayor disclosed that it is important for the city of Georgetown to be cleaned so as to prevent flooding, attract more tourists, and make citizens feel comfortable in a clean and healthy society.
However, in order to do this, he emphasised that persons in the business community must come together and lend a helping hand to the M&CC, by first cleaning their surroundings and working along with persons in the community to promote cleanliness.
The blockage of drains and proper garbage disposal will be matters that are thoroughly addressed by the M&CC, and strict measures will be set in place so that litter bugs would be penalised and persons would learn from that example.
That apart, “the main drainage canals will be cleared so as to reduce flooding as much as possible,” said Mayor Green.
The mayor also lauded businesses and communities who have already embarked on cleaning initiatives themselves, assuring them that the M&CC will render assistance so as to help them in whatever way possible as they move forward.
As they embark on this “cleaning crusade,” the mayor disclosed that vendors will be approached, and those who practise illegal vending will be kindly asked to relocate, so that order can prevail.
He also made it clear that no one will be exempted from the laws, reiterating that they will be strict in getting the city clean and also maintaining the cleanliness of the environment.
Meanwhile, persons from the business community and also other concerned citizens used the opportunity to propose ways in which they believe the garbage situation in Georgetown could be addressed.
Persons for example called on the M&CC to provide more equipment to persons who are engaged in the current cleaning initiative; while some proposed that there should be community outreaches and formation of groups, so as to sensitise persons of the importance of a clean and healthy environment.
Scotiabank Guyana was one step ahead as they yesterday donated a number of tools to the M&CC, as part of their contribution to cleaning up the country.