–President Ali leads national clean-up exercise
PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Saturday morning, participated in the country-wide clean-up campaign that was organised by the Ministry of Public Works.
The head of State was joined by the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar. Focus was placed heavily on the drainage and irrigation systems around the various locations, especially at the DSL Junction where President Ali aided in the clean-up efforts.

In that area, there was poor drainage which often caused water to settle on one side of the road. President Ali and his team managed to create channels to facilitate the proper drainage of the water.
Additionally, where thick vegetation has been sprouting, crucial work was done to keep the area at a standard level. The exercise saw other cabinet members being dispatched to other locations and regions to work hand-in-hand with residents for the development of a hygienic environment.

Since the government took office in 2020, emphasis has been placed on creating a cleaner and greener country. To achieve this objective the president has ensured that constant cleaning exercises are held during the year in each of the ten administrative regions.
For this to be more effective, the responsibility has been narrowed down to the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities to ensure that residents within the communities participate.
An initiative known as the ‘Community Enhancement Workers’ Programme was also implemented to achieve the goal of a cleaner country. The programme has allowed persons to be employed while aiding in the cleanliness of their communities.

Several government officials and other citizens participated in the country-wide clean-up exercise (Office of the President photos)
In this year’s budget, some $1.5 billion was allocated to maintain this programme which has so far seen approximately 2,000 persons gaining employment. Meanwhile, through the Office of the First Lady, several recreational facilities and green spaces were established to promote a more family-oriented environment, where one can strive mentally and socially.
As such, millions have been invested thus far to build parks and other social infrastructure across the country. With an astute way of governing, the PPP/C government, over the past four years, has always ensured that the improvement of citizens’ livelihoods is of top priority.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, on Saturday, noted that Guyanese and the Georgetown City Council must work together to keep the city and its environment clean and tidy.
Minister Edghill said he was disappointed at the pile-up of garbage in the vicinity of the Georgetown Public Hospital, particularly on New Market Street, Georgetown.
He blamed the vendors and business persons who operate in the area. The minister lamented the lack of action by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

Several government officials and other citizens participated in the country-wide clean-up exercise (Office of the President photos)

“We are at the main tertiary level hospital of our country, the Georgetown Public Hospital, right across from the hospital. We have truckloads of garbage on private land. We have had cause to fence this property before after we would have cleaned it, but coming back here today the fence is broken down and the garbage is more than what has been there before,” Minister Edghill stated.
He noted that the GPHC has its own arrangement for waste and garbage disposal but the waste disposed at the location is from the businesses and vendors around the area. Minister Edghill said the wanton disposal of garbage is a lawless act and the city council could also take action against the property owner.

“I would use this occasion to appeal to all Guyanese. We have to do better…we just have to do better. We cannot keep doing this over and over again and vendors and those who ply their trade in this area, dispose of your garbage properly. And it is clear, the city council has jurisdiction over these matters. You mean the city council at no time didn’t see anyone dumping garbage here to serve notices, to enquire, to put a constabulary rank here to deal with this matter?”

Minister Edghill lamented as truckloads of garbage were being removed from the location. The minister said that across the country the ministry has been removing derelict vehicles, tyres and garbage with the cooperation of persons.
He urged Guyanese to act more responsibly and noted that the law needs to be enforced. Minister Edghill said the persons found dumping garbage need to be charged. Several volunteers shared their thoughts about the cleanup exercise including Vice Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Captain Gerry Gouveia.
“As we develop Guyana as we boost our economy, the investment climate is growing; we have foreigners coming here.

We are doing so much to build the economy and the country we have to make sure that we keep our cities clean and our country clean,” he stated. Lieutenant Colonel Mark Thomas urged people to keep their environs clean.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage people to stop littering. We have found a number of things this morning, KFC boxes a lot of plastic bottles, and energy drink tins, but people need to stop littering so that the place and the environment will be much cleaner,” he stated. (DPI)