AS widespread clean-up of the city of Georgetown continues, several stakeholders on Tuesday joined hearts and hands in a concerted effort to transform and beautify the landscape of the Public Buildings and its environs, preparing it for the first sitting of the National Assembly under the newly elected APNU+AFC Government.
The Guyana Chronicle sought comments from the proverbial man-in-the-street, and got the following reactions from citizens on how they feel about the initiative.

WHARTON MC LENNON, TCL employee:
“I think that this activity is very good, though it has been lacking for many years; and the Public Buildings look wonderful. I’d be glad if they could keep it up, and I hope that, along with the transformation on the outside, there will be transformation on the inside as well.”

SHAKA HEYWOOD, Education and Culture employee:
“What I am seeing here today is a good move on the part of the people; it is nice that citizens from different backgrounds and different organisations can come together to clean up and make the Public Buildings look respectable once more, so that when people visit this country, they can respect us and the building and what it represents.

“It is a really good move, and I think that the spirit should live on; but I still feel that they should remove all the ‘junkies’ off the street, because they are the ones who take little or nothing from people who have money to dump garbage at all corners of the streets.

“Furthermore, this is Parliament, and they should not be sleeping out here. Also, they should place bins along the way, because if there are no bins, the same ‘junkies’ would go through the garbage and have it flying all over the place.”

RICARDO WALLOSE, former MP under the Burnham Administration:
“The people’s Parliament has once more come to its glory; and so, on behalf of myself and the people of Guyana, I would hope — and I think and always say — that God puts who He wants in Parliament to do His work and represent the people.

“President Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will move this country forward, because they were sent by God.”

MARISSA BALRAM, public security employee:
“I feel good about it; it’s looking nice, and makes Guyana look good. When I walked down the road and saw the changes, I was surprised, because it looked really clean. And this is how it ought to be; it’s looking nice. “Congratulations to those who came out here and made this possible.”

JASMINE PRIMO, public security employee:
“I am excited about the changes. When I saw this area looking so spotless, I began wondering if they swept it or something like that. It is really good to see Parliament Building looking this way. I feel proud to be a Guyanese.

“But let’s try to upkeep it. I also feel that bins should be placed at every corner to prevent people from littering.”

JAVIN VANVEEN, self-employed:
“It is good to see volunteers working towards cleaning up this Public Buildings area, if nowhere else. This place is supposed to be clean at all times, because this is the centre, and people coming into the country will have to pass this way.

“All in all, I like how the place is transformed this morning, and I pray they would keep it up. What is on the outside of a building gives an impression about what goes on inside; so, from now on, only good things can go on inside there.”

LATISHA NILES, student:   
“From what I have seen, President Granger is doing a good job; he has started off on the right footing, and I pray God will bless him to continue to move this country on to prosperity, with people living in brotherly love and unity.

“It is clear that this man stands for cleanliness; and that should be our watchword.”

KONNELLA DOVER, student:
“I am really witnessing changes after the elections; and no disrespect, but normally, ‘junkies’ used to be here, hanging out around the Public Buildings. Well, I always wanted to know what connection is there with vagrants and what goes on in a Parliament. But now I am seeing that they have been moved, and out here looks so different. It’s so clean!”

DEREK BOBB, mining camp baker:
“It is good to witness the transformation of this key part of the city here today. It is a shame that it took so long to bring about this difference, but we really ought to commend the people who have risked their health and gotten into stagnant drains, trying to clear them and help get the water off the land, and garbage off the streets.

“When people can go to that extent, it means they really have their country at heart, and want to see it looking good. Hats off to all who have come on board! However, I think the Council should be more stern on people who litter, and impose stiffer penalties on them.

“The best of luck to the new Government, and may God inspire their leadership.”