GEORGETOWN is beginning to look good again. In many places, we see teams of workmen and women cleaning drains and waterways, excavating, digging and levelling.

As government and the private sector illuminate and decorate their buildings for the 50th Independence Anniversary, this, too, has added life to what was only recently referred to as the ‘garbage city.’The collaboration by the Government of Guyana and City Council on the restoration programme for Georgetown is commendable. As one takes a stroll, walk, jog or drive through the city, there are marked improvements in its appearance. Areas like the Merriman Mall have been re-developed, existing trees have been pruned, new trees are being planted, seats are being erected, old ones are being refurbished, and the canals are being desilted. The creation of play areas with slides, sea-saws, swingers, trampolines, etc. has seen families, friends and lovers enjoying each other, the ambience and facilities, and children playing away from vehicular traffic.

The ‘deforestation’ of the Le Repentir Cemetery, the Caribbean’s largest, is another pleasing sight. This project was started under the previous administration. Though the history behind the land’s original ownership and its naming has to do with the story of enmity between two brothers and repentance of the surviving, this cemetery has within its bosom the earthly remains of loved ones.
There was no justification to have their resting place unkempt, given our cultural value which is steeped in love for family, reverence for the dead, and belief in afterlife.

The cleaning of the avenues and drains is encouraging. The Botanical Gardens also is deserving of mention, given the tremendous work that continues to be done to restore it to its former glory. The planned restoration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites’ City Hall (completed in 1889), and the St. George’s Cathedral (completed in 1899), one of the world’s highest wooden building, to their original architecture would add fillip to the tourist industry.

There is still work to be done, and this cannot be denied. However, day by day, the garbage city sinks deeper as the Garden City is being pulled from under. Orderliness is being restored daily. The improvement in solid waste management, including the sweeping of the streets, has realised significant reduction in the stench that once permeated the environment and gave rise to concerns of an epidemic.

However, while the environmental improvements are obvious, and while they are important, they are also superficial. We, as a nation of souls, cannot afford to betray ourselves by “WOWS” based on surface changes. Clean drains and parks of poetry are vitally important. But the “WOWS” mean nothing. They may soon be mud-clogged again if our own hardened habits do not change.

Real, deep and permanent change can only come from a change of attitude in all spaces and places: in homes (or houses, since there is a difference); in schools; in private businesses; in the public sector; in our playgrounds; in our “university”; and on our roads. Changes of attitude can come about when we use our minds and our hearts. This would be a great clean-up, but it would take a great deal of effort.

Here it is hoped again that the recent Commission of Inquiry into the public service would not only result in higher pay for the employees, but a turnaround in attitudes. Obviously, some of it is about our people, but even the best of us can be stymied by our inherited bureaucratic red-tape. This attitude must go. Change does not come easily; it takes work, and it takes will, and it takes courage. The workers cleaning up the waterways, drains, and streets of Georgetown are setting an example; it would be good for the rest of us to follow that example.