The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) yesterday started a 10-day massive clean-up campaign, which it hopes will be more sustainable than its previous efforts.
The project comes in wake of the Ministry of Public Works’ recent three-day clean-up project in central Georgetown, which ended on Friday. When Stabroek News visited the vicinity of the Stabroek Market, one of the main areas targeted by the Ministry, it was evident that garbage remained.
M&CC spokesperson Royston King, in an interview yesterday with Stabroek News, said that the council along with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) provided support to the ministry in that effort. The areas which benefitted from that exercise were the Stabroek Market area, Water Street and Robbstown, he added.
However, King said, to maintain a cleaner environment, the council has decided to take the project into three phases, the first will see them removing garbage from parapets and roadside dumps. During the second phase, he added, alleyways, drains and other waterways will be cleaned, while in the third phase, they will bring a public awareness and educational programme to complement the groundwork that would have been done.
“We are looking at a bottom-up approach. We are asking communities themselves to try to become more involved,” King stated, adding that already several communities have indicated that they are willing to participate. Among the areas are North East La Penitence, West Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt, Tucville, Meadowbrook and Charlestown.
Yesterday, King explained, the project began with the council mobilising equipment which was acquired through support of various private entities such as Nigel’s Supermarket and John Fernandes Limited. “Mr. Nigel Johnson hired one truck for two days and Mr. Fernandes hired one truck for 10 days. Mr. DeSouza hired one truck for three days and there are other suppliers,” he said.
“So they were working on mobilising themselves today (Monday) but the actual project begins tomorrow (Tuesday). We are appealing to all businesses, contractors, stakeholders to come on board to support us and assist in any way possible,” he added.
