THE clean-up fever which, within recent times, has enveloped the Guyanese across the nation countrywide has also transferred itself to the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), causing that entity to partner with neighbouring businesses to clean the Vlissengen Road area between Church and Lamaha Streets in a clean-up exercise which began early yesterday morning.

Following an appeal initiated by that utility company earlier in the week, the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), Shell Gas Station, Chicka D and Pizza D, among other businesses, responded, with employees coming out in their numbers.

GWI Public Relations Officer, Timothy Austin, said the entity initiated the clean-up activity as part of the nationwide campaign to promote and maintain a healthy environment. He said all businesses along Vlissengen Road were invited to partner with the GWI and join with the nation in promoting environmental awareness and improving public health.

GWI scheduled the exercise from 7:00 hrs yesterday at its corporate complex on Vlissengen Road in Bel Air Park, Georgetown, and GNNL’s General Manager, Michael Gordon, said more than three dozen GNNL employees came out to join the clean-up effort.

He said the dedicated staffers from the state-owned media entity had no hesitation in participating in this social event; and GNNL, being a good corporate citizen as well, promptly welcomed the clean-up call.

Gordon, who was part of the team of employees from GNNL, added that he was pleased with the turn-out.

GNNL’s Production Superintendent Samuel Bynoe said he was pleased with the level of cooperation received from the staff, who showed up in various protective gear to clean up their surroundings; and he lauded GWI for staging the initiative.

GWI’s Communication Assistant Demallea Benjamin told this production that GWI had seen and heard of the many clean-up campaigns sweeping Guyana, and wanted to do their part. As such, an appeal was made to other companies, and the response was good.

She was one of scores of GWI employees who participated in the clean-up exercise, which saw clogged drains being cleaned, overgrown parapets weeded, and garbage cleared from Church Street to Lamaha Street yesterday.

GWI employees also re-painted the pedestrian crossing outside their office with direction and assistance from ranks of the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department yesterday morning.

Shell Service Station Supervisor Fiona Rampersaud told this newspaper that they are always willing to lend support in cleaning their surroundings, and their staffers came out early yesterday morning to do just that.

By Michel Outridge