MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, visited several areas where work is under way through a city Christmas clean-up campaign spearheaded by his Ministry.
Whittaker checked on the pace of the works and the progress made thus far in areas such as Mc Doom, Agricola, and Norton and Princes Streets, and Riverview, Ramp Road and Cummings Lodge.

The teams, that are a part of this campaign, consist of both males and females, primarily youths. Whittaker highlighted that this project has created temporary employment for many youths. The workers are being given a stipend of $3,000 daily, while the leaders of the groups are being paid more.
Coordinator for the Riverview area, Anita Thorne, said that they have received a lot of encouragement from passersby and villagers.  She added that several persons have already volunteered to help them with this project while some villagers have provided them with snacks and water.
Thorne also highlighted that this is a commendable effort by the ministry, and encouraged others to get involved in the cleaning of their environment. “We got to stop the talking and do the work,” she said.
The minister interacted with the workers and encouraged community members to clean up their surroundings.
Through this project, the ministry has also been able to identify 18 illegal dumpsites in various communities across the city. The minister said that the ministry will have the garbage in these areas removed; persons caught dumping in these locations will be prosecuted.
The exercise which commenced on December 11 is a collaborative effort among the Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Public Works and Local Government.
The campaign was initially scheduled for 10 days. However; the ministry is considering extending it.

(GINA)