TWO years ago there was widespread civic action by government, business and individual, to improve our physical environs. This saw the de-bushing of Le Repentir Cemetery, cleaning of alleyways, gutters, canals, and de-bushing of embankments. There has also been the refurbishing of structures and landmarks such as the 1966 Independence Arch at Brickdam and the construction of a new arch  on entering Georgetown from the southern point at Agricola.

Visitors over this period had nothing but praises for the change in physical appearance and offered encouraging words for those involved and the country at large.

Having embarked on such a massive rehabilitation programme, which was supported in spirit and physical participation by citizens in their respective areas, it is reasonable to expect continuation of such activities.  Presently, as persons look around it can be seen that areas once cleaned are falling into disrepair.

In Georgetown, where the Le Repentir cemetery falls under the management of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council it is being overtaken by overgrown bushes once more. The pathways that run through the cemetery, allowing movement from one point to another, are becoming difficult to traverse. The drainage within this ground has become overgrown with weeds.

On some of the streets and roadsides shrubs are growing on the waste that have been left lying, having been removed from the gutters and drains during the clean-up exercise. These are hazards as they impede vision and free flow of movement for users on the roadways. The national attention given to and received about the clean-up still sees the practice of dumping garbage outside of designated areas and receptacles. For instance, during the jubilee celebrations, waste receptacles were placed along Regent Street from Vlissingen Road to Avenue of the Republic. A visit to this area presently would see that those receptacles have been removed and the practice of throwing waste along the street and in the drains has recommenced.

Where people are concerned about theirs and the society’s image, efforts have to be made to demonstrate that the clean-up exercise was not merely a spurt for an occasion, but that of a preferred way of life. In the absence of a programme to maintain the work done it lends to the impression that the society can only build and construct but lacks capacity or interest to maintain. Avoiding such perception requires continued collaborations between and among stakeholders.

Activities such as the cleaning and mowing of lawns, disposal of garbage, maintenance of the shoulders of parapets and gutters can be addressed through the establishment of Community/Neighbourhood Associations, with the authority of putting systems in place to hold members accountable to maintain their surroundings and their communities.  The activities of such associations can be integrated into the local government authorities. Improvement and maintenance may require developing incentive regimes such as tax reduction for communities based on performance and laws that can be used as penalty for those who keep their propertied/rented environs unkempt.

Government-national, regional and local has to play a more active role in helping with maintenance, which can be done in many ways, equally as improving aesthetics, employment and economic opportunities. Government can look into the area of having roads and bridges adopted by the business community, civic-minded organisations or individuals. Landscaping is another aspect of maintenance and also a boost to aesthetics.
Flowers and shrubbery can be planted along the roadways, and in the medians of the East Bank and East Coast roads. Growing more trees positively impact the air we breathe, environment and climate change. At a community level there can be competition and prizes awarded for the best garden, or kept yard. This is an incentive that will motivate the people to think and act in a particular manner.

Very often where solution-driven approach is taking to matters within our scope or responsibility, it will be realised that in some instances it requires small actions to make significant impact on our lives. This is one such instance and it is hoped that the relevant authorities can appreciate the wisdom and necessity to tackle this issue soonest.