THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s renewed campaign to clean up Stabroek Market Square represents far more than a simple waste management initiative; it is a call to civic responsibility and national pride.
For decades, Stabroek Market has been the beating heart of Georgetown’s commercial life, but also one of its most visibly neglected spaces.
The government’s “Going Forward” engagement with vendors marks a deliberate and long-overdue effort to restore dignity to this historic public square.
At the centre of this push is a new philosophy, partnership, not punishment.
Minister Priya Manickchand’s message to vendors was clear: the transformation of Stabroek cannot be imposed from the top down; it must be driven by those who live and work there every day.
Her confidence in the vendors, expressed through the installation of garbage bins every 40 feet around the market and the decision to rely on voluntary co-operation before enforcement, signals a more empathetic, people-centred approach to governance.
The introduction of twice-daily waste collection, from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. and again between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., is a practical measure aligned with the rhythm of the market’s activity.
But the success of this initiative will depend less on logistics and more on collective behaviour.
For too long, littering and poor waste habits have plagued Georgetown’s public spaces, eroding the city’s beauty and its sense of civic pride.
The ministry’s renewed focus on engagement and education, rather than fines and threats, offers a more sustainable route to change.
Crucially, this effort also reflects a broader national vision, one that ties environmental cleanliness to economic empowerment and community wellbeing.
Minister Manickchand’s assurance that the government wants vendors to “thrive—make sales, build homes, buy assets” connects cleanliness to progress.
A well-kept Stabroek is not just a prettier market; it is a safer, healthier, and more profitable one.
The presence of Mayor Alfred Mentore, senior ministry officials, and councillors at Monday’s engagement underscores the importance of cross-agency collaboration.
Waste management and urban renewal cannot succeed through ministry mandates alone. The involvement of local authorities, private contractors and, more importantly, the public will determine whether this initiative is remembered as another short-term clean-up or the beginning of a cultural shift.
In truth, the symbolism of this effort runs deep. Stabroek Market is more than an architectural landmark; it is a mirror of the nation’s character.
When we neglect it, we neglect a piece of ourselves. When we take pride in it, we affirm our collective capacity to build a cleaner, fairer, and more modern Guyana.
For years, citizens have lamented the state of the capital, the clogged drains, the litter-strewn pavements, the sense that disorder has become normal.
The government’s “Going Forward” campaign offers a chance to turn that tide. But it will only succeed if all stakeholders–vendors, customers, city officials, and residents–embrace a shared responsibility for the spaces we occupy.
The clean-up of Stabroek Market Square should be seen as the starting point for a wider national conversation: how do we redefine civic duty in a modern Guyana? The answer will not come from legislation alone, but from leadership by example–by citizens who choose co-operation over complaint.
As Minister Manickchand aptly put it, “Let us go first and show this country how we can co-operate once we have the facilities to keep Guyana clean.” It is a sentiment worth repeating and, more importantly, one worth living up to.