GEORGETOWN Mayor Ubraj Narine believes there is urgent need for a culture change among Georgeown residents if the Capital is to become a clean and ‘green’ City.
He offered the view in light of a huge garbage pile up on the Kitty Seawall in the aftermath of the Easter Weekend festivities.

“What took place there we are not responsible for it, we did not get a dollar from the commercial activity, the sea defence is responsible for the area. We all want Georgetown to be a better place. How are we going to do it? Are we going to do it by pulling and tugging or are we going to do it collectively?” he asked.

He explained that it is easy to blame the City Council and City Hall for the garbage pile up but it is the attitude of persons who refuse to dispose of their refuse in bins who need to be blamed.

“When we go to other countries, within six hours we are able to change our culture. Why can’t we do it here? We are Guyanese, we don’t want to look beautiful and see a difference in our city?” he questioned.

During his travel to work, the mayor lamented that persons are pelting plastic balls and bottles, without any care, out of vehicles.

As part of a new strategy, the mayor had proposed raising the littering fee from $10,000 to $50,000.

The M&CC, under the Municipal and District Act Chapter 28:01, is allowed to fine persons $10,000 for littering; the EPA can penalise a person with up to $50,000.

The mayor noted that before there is any finality on the proposed fine, many consultations must be held with all stakeholders.

“We don’t want to implement anything too quickly and we don’t have the manpower to upkeep it,” he said, adding: “We all need to work together to change Georgetown and if we don’t, we are going to regret it.”

He wants citizens to keep their environment clean.

“Aren’t we human beings? Can’t we alter ourselves? Don’t we change our clothes everyday? Aren’t we eating different meals everyday? When you see something nice we don’t go after it? Why don’t we try to change our attitudes and our culture, then we will have no fine to implement and we all can work together?” the mayor said.

He continued: “We the people have a responsibility as well, not the M&CC alone, not the mayor, deputy and councillors alone, not the administration alone, we are here to work for the people, we go to church, masjid and temple. Doesn’t the scripture teach us that cleanliness is next to godliness? What are we waiting for?”