Dear Editor,
The news item that “RDC lacks capacity to clear overflowing school bin left since last term – Region 5 Chair,” (INEWS, September 23, 2023) is such a pathetic excuse coming from the Region 5 Chair, if that’s a true story. Is the Chairman for real? In the fastest growing economy in the world, as propaganda would have it, Region 5 cannot get rid of some trash that has been lying in the bin at Fort Wellington Secondary School since last term? The Region has no capacity? Does the Region not collect trash from all households as is their function? Why not? So the RDC does not know how to do networking to access assistance for such a piddly problem? The Region has no trailers and Hymac? It’s very sad for Guyana that this is the kind of leadership and management we have at top levels of an ongoing failed, broken, outmoded Regional System of government in need of a makeover. No wonder Freddie likes to say “Guyana is not a real country.”
What message do we send to school children about trash pick-up and clean environments? What “habits of mind” are we inculcating? Does this send a message to children that cleanliness is not important, that a clean environment is not important? So, you see why Guyana is a nasty place! Children learn in school that trash removal is not a biggie, that we can have peaceful coexistence with trash! While the President himself regularly leads clean-up efforts in the City, the regions could not be bothered to create sustainable designs for solid waste removal. Such a Third World mindset leaves us in the dark ages, and people snicker when we make idle boasts that we are the fastest growing economy in the world. And we can’t remove a small container of trash from a school yard! How about if Region 5 is affected by an oil spill problem, can they handle it?
And during the several months of holidays, where were the Regional Education Officers, School Principal and Ministry people to help solve this trash problem at Fort Wellington Secondary? Where is the spirit of volunteerism from the PTA and community folks such as the churches and local businesses? Any school principal who cannot manage a school and create a clean, healthy school environment does not deserve that position. I have observed the same poor environment at Cummings Lodge Secondary where vines are on the fence throughout the year, and the garden area and yard are always in need of mowing. You would think they are going for the award of poster child for an unkempt school environment. And why are the authorities allowing an unsightly scrap metal business to operate so close to that school? Which Ministry is responsible for allowing that eyesore?
It is time for the Government to pay serous attention to solid waste disposal, acquisition of trash bins, and maintaining clean environments through power-washing of fungus from all state-owned buildings, ongoing repainting and maintenance, regular mowing of lawns using sustainable designs. Random acts of clean-up exercises are inadequate. Use some of that US$214 million from the oil audit funds to invest in providing push mowers, slashers and clean up equipment. Let’s end the nastiness in our public buildings and environments.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jerry Jailall
