By Carl Croker

IN keeping with government’s policy of having a clean and ‘green’ environment, the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport awarded winners of its “Bright-Up Guyana” competition at a simple ceremony on Thursday.

At the event held in the boardroom of the ministry’s Main Street office, the winners received trophies and prizes from Social Cohesion Minister, Dr. George Norton.

The awards were made in eight categories. These are Non-Commercial (Decorated and Illuminated building), Non-Commercial (Decorated Building), Non-Commercial (Best Parapet), School (Decorated Building), School (Best Parapet), Commercial Residence (Decorated and Illuminated), Residence (Decorated and illuminated Building) and Residence (Best Parapet).

Vibert and Alexander Belle won in two categories, namely Residence (Decorated and Illuminated Building) and Residence (Best Parapet). Alexander Belle, who received the awards, said he loves to participate in such activities and loves to keep his surroundings clean.

“I feel honoured about the whole thing because I am being rewarded and it is catching on in my area; most persons in the neighbourhood do clean their parapets as well,” he said.
The Central Housing and Planning Authority walked away with first place in the Non- Commercial (Decorated and Illuminated Building) category, leaving West Watooka Health Centre, Region 10, to settle for second and the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport third.

One Mile Health Centre, Region 10, got the top spots in the Non-Commercial (Decorated Building and Non-Commercial Best Parapet) categories, while the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Security took second and third place respectively in the Non-Commercial (Decorated Building) category.

Zeelugt Primary School took home first prize for School (Decorated Building), leaving Freeburg Secondary and Sophia Special School with second and third places respectively in that category.

However, Sophia Special School took the top spot in the School (Best Parapet) category and Zeelugt Primary got the second spot.

Maxi Williams Design was the lone participant in the Commercial Residence (Decorated and Illuminated) category.
Mashramani Coordinator, Andrew Tyndall, in addressing the awardees, said decorating and lighting-up of buildings contribute to the festive spirit and the competition is very special to the ministry.

He encouraged the participants to continue flying the national flag on their buildings as Guyana prepares for Independence celebrations in May.