Hundreds turned out yesterday for the annual World Environment Day walk to emphasize the global theme of “Think, Eat, Save” for food security and environmental protection.
Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment’s Environmen-tal Protection Agency the walk began briskly at 7am and saw participation from over 30 schools government and non governmental agencies.
With global food waste over 1 billion tonnes annually, Guyanese were urged to be more careful in their ‘From the farm to the fork’ actions and not take lightly that this country has an abundance of foods.
The simple using of the stalk of the pakchoy was an example used to illustrate to locals that they can help in the fight against food wastage in keeping with this year’s World Environment Day to be observed on Wednesday.
In his address Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud pointed to the irony of walking through the streets on a green walk and seeing stacks of garbage , far more than it was last year, throughout the city.
As walkers proceeded through Albert Street, the Clarkes stood on their bridge with cardboard placards hoping to draw the attention of the relevant authorities and highlight their plight of stagnant smelly drains, a flooded yard and mosquito infestation. In the alley at the side and back of her yard the grass was as thick and as tall as her fence. The air reeked of a smell similar to that of sewage.
Persaud stopped and spoke with the woman who detailed the daily noxious discomfort that she and her family faced. He promised that he would speak to the city council, which is responsible for cleaning the city, with the aim of ensuring that she gets some urgent relief.
When he spoke to attendees he referred to his encounter with the Clarkes and said their plight was part of a larger problem of local governance. He urged residents to ensure that they hold public officials to their tasks as it was not a favour but responsibility. “Just now when I was coming two residents came out they are frustrated…that certainly speaks to the frustration, but you have that power, you have that authority to ensure that those who are in charge at the local level that they also support the efforts that we have a very clean and healthy environment, he said.
“I do hope that you will take back the message… While the overall theme is ‘Think, Eat and Save’… every pile of garbage is one too much…take it to your homes, take it to your parents, take it to when you travel in the minibuses or wherever you go that you take a stand against this reckless and this dirty habit that some of us have of littering in an indiscriminate way,” he added
European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Robert Kopecky described Guyana as one of the most beautiful countries he has ever been to however the garbage situation in the city is “a little scar” on a flora and fauna picturesque nation. He highlighted current clean-up programmes, such as the ABC (countries) & EU’s ‘Guyana Shine’ and the local ‘Pick it Up’ campaigns, and said that while progress is being made citizens should not be satisfied until it is fully clean so that when visitors come they appreciate the gem the country is.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Ronald Webster, in his remarks, made mention of his organization’s planned week of activities such as a clean up exercise and green jobs fair.
That clean-up will span Water Street to Parade Street and Young Street to Cowan Street; North & South Cummingsburg from Lamaha Street to Church Street and Thomas Street to Water Street. In Lacytown from Water Street to Camp Street and North Road to South Road and in East Ruimveldt from Trench Road to Mandela Avenue and Front Road to Mandela Avenue while in West Ruimveldt from Vlissengen Road to Hunter Street and Mandela Avenue to Front Road.
Participants were judged in four categories Best Banner, Largest Contingent, Uniformity and Best Chant. Marian Academy took the 1st place prizes for largest contingent and best banner while they placed third for best chant. The Guyana Police Force won first place in the uniformity and best chant followed by Graham’s Hall Primary. Vreed en Hoop Primary and the Guyana Forestry Commission placed third in the best banner and uniformity categories respectively.
