…as ‘big lift’ initiative expands nationwide

NEIGHBOURHOOD Democratic Councils (NDCs) across several regions of Guyana have embarked on an ambitious large-scale clean-up of their compounds as part of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s ongoing “Big Lift” initiative, a nationwide effort to restore sanitation, improve public service facilities, and strengthen local government systems.
The exercise was launched under the direction of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand and marks the latest phase in a coordinated national push to remove bulky and derelict waste from government and community spaces.
According to a press release, unlike traditional community clean-up drives that target residential or public dumping areas, this phase of the “Big Lift” focuses specifically on NDC compounds for a number of reasons. By concentrating on these compounds, many of which house community records, staff and services, the Ministry aims to create safer, more efficient work environments and ensure that the councils can function at their full capacity in serving their respective communities.
On the East Bank of Demerara, the clean-up operation is being carried out at several NDCs, including Soesdyke, Coverden, Caledonia, Good Success, Golden Grove, Diamond, Little Diamond, Herstelling, Mocha, Arcadia, Eccles, Ramsburg, Lamaha, Yarrowkabra Hauraruni and Yarrowkabra.
Similar activities are ongoing in Region Two at the Charity, Urasara, Evergreen, Paradise, Aberdeen, Zorg-en-Vlygt, Annandale, Riverstown, Moruka, Providence, Nile, Cozier, and Good Hope, Pomona NDC compounds. Meanwhile, in Region Three, work has begun at Toevlugt, Patentia, Canals Polder, La Grange, Nismes, Malgre Tout, Meerzorgen, Klein Pouderoyen, and La Jalousie, Nouvelle Flanders.
Across these locations, NDCs have mobilised internal staff, contracted workers, and transportation units to remove derelict machinery, scrap materials, and bulky debris that have accumulated over time. The effort is expected to reduce health and environmental hazards, restore the physical order of compounds, and clear space for important operational use.
Officials within the ministry have indicated that this compound-focused clean-up represents an important preparatory stage aimed at improving the efficiency of local administrative offices. Clean, well-organised compounds not only improve working conditions for staff, but also enhance the overall delivery of community services such as waste management, drainage, and infrastructure maintenance.
The “Big Lift” forms part of a broader effort to strengthen community systems and promote better environmental practices at the local government level. By prioritising cleanliness, order, and sustainability, the initiative aims to reinforce the role of NDCs as effective agents of local governance and community development.
As this phase ends, additional NDCs across the country are expected to join in subsequent rounds of the clean-up exercise following further engagements led by Minister Manickchand.