The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment’s ‘Pick it Up Guyana’ group partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Volunteer Programme on Saturday to campaign for environmental cleanliness at the minibus parks.
The promotion was in keeping with the objectives of the ‘Pick it Up campaign’ focused on educating the public about the adverse effects of littering, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud who also participated in the exercise commended the JICA for its support. According to Persaud, the exercise will supplement the ministry’s efforts to disseminate the message of cleanliness as several buses do not have waste receptacles in keeping with new environmental regulations.
JICA Representative Takv Yoshida said he was honoured to be working with the ministry to keep Guyana clean. He also expressed gratitude to all the companies and organisations that supported the effort.
Thirty volunteers from the ‘Pick It Up campaign’ volunteer programme, Civil Defence Commission, Scouts and UN Volunteers engaged drivers and conductors at several bus parks and affixed colourful stickers to minibuses which stated “I love beautiful Guyana, keep Guyana clean.” Stickers were put on the buses to take the group’s effort throughout their bus routes.
The routes targeted were 40, 41, 45-48; 44, 50 and 63 and 31, 32, 42 and 43.
Drivers whose vehicles had been banded with a sticker were given letters from the Ministry of Home Affairs to show that that ministry supported the initiative and ensure that they will encounter no difficulties for having the stickers on their buses.
Some of the bus drivers commended the effort by coordinators to promote cleanliness in the nation. They added they will also try their best to promote a litter free zone and will encourage their passengers to do the same.
At the end of the campaign, the JICA gave the volunteers a certificate of appreciation for their hard work.
The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport coordinated the mobilisation and management of the volunteers, GINA said.
