– President Ali spearheads another massive clean-up exercise

WITH continuous efforts being rolled out to promote a cleaner Guyana while tackling the issue of littering, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Saturday, spearheaded a clean-up exercise in the Sophia/Cummings Lodge area.

The exercise commenced around 05:00 hrs. along Dennis Street, Sophia, continued into the Cummings Lodge area, and concluded at the Kingston Seawall in Georgetown.
The clean-up exercise saw persons from different walks of life coming together in order to beautify the country.
President Ali was joined by Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan, and other members of the Joint Services, as well as members of the private sector and other citizens.

According to the President, the initiative is just another demonstration of the governing People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) commitment to a better Guyana for all Guyanese.
“Guyana cannot only be changed with nice roads and buildings; it has to be changed by each of us changing the way we treat the environment, changing our behaviours and environment,” Dr. Ali stated.

The President further noted that in Georgetown alone, there were approximately 1,400 active participants. And according to him, this is an evident indicator that the citizens are also committed to achieving a clean Guyana.
Dr. Ali stated, “The Guyanese people are committed to this task. We now have to ensure that each of us work on changing another person; changing them so that they understand how important it is to keep the place clean.”

The Head of State underscored that yesterday’s exercise held much importance since it is leading up to the Cricket Carnival and subsequently, into significant national celebrations including Diwali and the Christmas season.
Also, President Ali firmly stated that the initiative is ushering in an eventful year, beginning with the Energy conference in February, followed by a heads of government meeting and several planned state visits.

The Head of State reiterated that the objective is to work on establishing a Guyana that everyone can be proud of showcasing. President Ali encouraged individuals to get on board with the initiative and keep their environment clean.

WIDESPREAD
Notably, other government officials and private sector representatives who participated shared the same sentiments as the President.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) along the Kingston Seawall, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. stated: “That’s what we set out to achieve; it’s not just about cleaning for the day, it’s about the change in culture in our culture. We have evidence in the country to show that culture on a small scale can lead to different outcomes.”
Meanwhile, at the Marriott Beach, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said that this is part of a wider initiative to transform Guyana; but that aspect of cooperation is needed.

“Guyana is not the old shabby, broken-down looking country…we are modernising, we are transforming … the main message is a culture change. The Ministry of Public Works; we have contractors that are engaged for keeping this seawall clean but the volume of what you see here, in terms of garbage being left behind, got to change,” said Minister Edghill.
Furthermore, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, also urged Guyanese to act responsibly towards the environment as she led the exercise from Camp Street to Vlissengen Road.
“I would want to appeal to the citizens of our country that we bear in mind that we need to have a clean environment and to practice responsible sanitation,” she stated.

Also, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn who joined members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) expressed happiness with the massive turnout.
He related: “The hope going forward is that this clean-up will encourage people to employ safe disposable practices for garbage and other things they wish to dispose of, so one hopes that as we go forward those who use these places will dispose of their garbage property.”

Meanwhile, a representative of the private sector, Anand Mangru, spoke with DPI and he expressed the belief that these clean-up exercises serve as a mechanism for cultural change.
He said: “That is why the support is so tremendous this morning and as you know it’s going on countrywide, so it’s happening, it’s making a change and when it comes from the top, sometimes example has to be set from the top and it is happening.”

Emphasising the importance of cleanliness, Divisional Officer, Administration, of the Guyana Fire Service, Haimchandra Persaud, said that this must be practised at the national level.
“We have a lot of tourists coming into our country and I have also been travelling and I have noticed one of the things that speak volumes is when the place is clean … and so I would implore other citizens and other members of the Joint Services, we can also speak to members who love to throw away their garbage to desist,” he said.

Major Edmond Blair added: “This national clean-up exercise…I see it more as an enhancement exercise because we want to enhance our capital city, so when persons visit the capital city they don’t see it as a city that is littered with garbage but they would see it as a place they would want to come.”
Ranks of the Guyana Fire Service are working in various parts of the city to wash areas that have been identified. (DPI)