By Vanessa Braithwaite

COMMUNITY Development Councils (CDCs) across Region 10 will, in the first week of May, be launching a grand tree-planting exercise in recognition of Guyana’s 50th anniversary celebrations.This tree-planting exercise will focus on the cultivation of fruit trees, but will not exclude flower plants, as the aim is to beautify the communities.

This tree-planting initiative is in keeping with the President’s vision of a clean environment, sustainable communities, and a green economy.

The programme, to be extended to Kwakwani and Ituni, will see various fruit trees being cultivated and the produce being sold to fund community projects.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian is promoting the cultivation of flower plants, in keeping with the mandate of the CDCs to make their surroundings environmentally-friendly. In a press conference held on Monday, he disclosed that the region is in possession of hundreds of packets of flower seeds, to be used for this initiative. In addition to tree planting, the CDCs will be embarking on environmental projects that would allow for their qualification to participate in a national competition for the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

According to CDC Director Sandra Adams, the competition will allow the community with the best theme and layout to embark on a developmental project of its choice.

The community of Kara Kara, through which the Kara Kara Creek runs, has expressed interest in transforming the waterway into a magnificent tourist attraction.

South Amelia’s Ward has indicated an interest in establishing a supermarket that would generate funds for not only infrastructural development, but to assist the elderly, the infirm, single parents, and the unemployed within the community. “We do not want no ordinary supermarket; it must be a market that will supply packaged local produce to the quality of what is produced overseas,” posited the CDC representative of South Amelia’s Ward.

DAYCARE CENTRES
Other communities are embarking on establishing daycare centres and poultry farms, in addition to training persons, especially single mothers and unemployed women, in skills such as sewing, knitting and catering.

In addition to the tree planting exercise, the Mayor and Town Council (M&TC), in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), will be embarking on a grand Jubilee Clean-up Campaign on April 29 and 30.
This campaign aims at preparing the town for Town Week celebrations that will commence on May 15, coinciding with the 50th Anniversary activities.

The town is expecting a vast amount of visitors, especially from the diaspora, and efforts to welcome these visitors to a clean and green Linden will commence with this campaign.

Chairman of the Environment Committee, Wainright Betune, is encouraging all Lindeners to support this campaign and extend it beyond the allotted two days. “We are celebrating our 50th Anniversary as a nation, 46 years as a town and 100 years of bauxite within this community…. I would encourage residents of Linden if this process could be ongoing so that this town could be transformed to what we truly desire to see it; how we want to see it,” he posited.

Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindil explained that residents should first focus on cleaning up their personal space before venturing out to clean the town. “Come out and clean your surroundings…. Clean your area, your yard, the inside and the parapets. Let’s make our place clean for our 50th Anniversary,” she encouraged.

Stakeholders are encouraged to assist this venture by donating refreshments and equipment to those taking part.