Although there has been improvement in the state of cleanliness across the city, President Irfaan Ali said that “heavy” focus will be placed on enforcement to ensure that it is maintained.
“We have given enough time, enough education programmes; enforcement is going to become a major aspect of what we are doing,” a statement from the Office of the President quoted Ali as saying as he called for intensified efforts to curb the dumping of garbage.
According to the OP statement, Ali said work will commence on improving the secondary drainage run-off across the country in a phased manner following the cleanup exercise.
He also reiterated that the cleanliness and upkeep of the environment is a shared responsibility, the statement added.
Ali participated in the continuation of a National Cleanup exercise along Vlissengen Road in the vicinity of St Sidwell’s Primary School yesterday morning.
He was joined by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Minister of Housing and Water Colin Croal; Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill; the Army Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Head of the Private Sector Commission Paul Cheong.
They visited several locations in the city, including D’Urban Park, the Seawalls and the Stabroek Market.
The statement said Ali particularly lauded the participation of the youths from Alboystown and members of the football community who joined in the exercise. “Today, they are part of the national effort to make a positive change, and this is the type of behavioural influence we want all across the country,” he said.
The country-wide clean-up exercise is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works’ National Enhancement Committee. A number of stakeholders including government agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, the private sector, the joint services, non-governmental organisations and members of civil society were also involved.
