–government considering stiffer penalties for littering—AG Nandlall

UNDER the highly praised ‘Men on Mission’ (MoM) and ‘One Guyana’ initiatives, which are the brainchild of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, a massive national environmental enhancement and beautification exercise was carried out throughout the country on Saturday.

To begin the national effort, government officials, Cabinet members, and several ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF), together with volunteers and members of the public were mobilised in Houston, Greater Georgetown.

While President Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, among other officials, led the charge there, similar efforts were made across the country.

Images of the cleanup effort were posted on Facebook, showing locations such as Wakenaam and Leguan in the Essequibo River; La Jalousie/Nouvelle Flanders, West Coast Demerara; Rose Hall, Hampshire/Kilcoy in Region Six; Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; Bartica, Region Seven; Mahdia in Region Eight; and St. Ignatius and Culvert City in Region Nine.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC emphasized, during his speech at the Kingston Seawall, that as Guyana is currently going through significant transformation, it is up to the citizens to make sure their country is always clean.

He said that it is reprehensible to toss trash on the streets and in public areas, pointing out that this is possibly one of the most uncivilised behaviours in the contemporary society.

Nandlall added that it is not the government’s intention to revert to sanctions to ensure that the country is kept clean, adding that the populace should work together to achieve this.

He did, however, warn that there is a chance the current laws pertaining to litter would need to be strengthened because most Guyanese people are growing less concerned about keeping their environment clean. “As you know, we have laws against littering and these laws carry consequences when they are violated and breached. Perhaps, we will now have to enforce these laws with greater discipline and with greater frequency…”

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, stated that the goal of the government has always been to lead a safe and secure nation, in light of the quick speed at which the country is developing.

“The objective has always been for us to maintain a hygienic and clean environment, because, as you know, we are moving towards a climate-secured country and energy-secured country. So, we want to be able to ensure that our surroundings are clean at all times,” she said.

Juan Edghill, the Minister of Public Works voiced worries about the encumbrances and derelict vehicles that are presently occupying the public route along Houston.

“In the case of an emergency, those shoulders were made to be bypasses, ambulances to pass, people can get out of traffic. We have to move them,” the minister said.

He continued by saying that although the government is working to beautify the environment, delinquent persons are preventing these efforts from materialising.

The private sector, governmental organisations, and regional authorities have all participated extensively in the national environmental enhancement and beautification exercise from the outset. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive and impactful clean-up to ensure the environment remains clean and healthy. This was the first exercise for 2024.