With littering and garbage disposal still a major issue, especially in Georgetown, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) is calling for more enforcement of penalties to help curb the social problem countrywide.
Chairman of the PSC Komal Singh told the Stabroek News that the government said it has planned a cleanup exercise this month and the body plans to fully participate. However, he said that periodic countrywide cleanup initiatives only help temporarily and that maintaining a clean environment has to be the culture of Guyanese.
Singh said that while littering was illegal, it was astounding to see the amount of garbage piled up across the country and questioned the enforcement being done to ensure the laws are kept.
“The PSC calls on all businesses and citizens across the country and most importantly in Georgetown and other townships, to dispose of their garbage in a responsible manner. Littering is an illegal act, as such we call on all stakeholders to enforce the law towards those who are delinquent,” he said.
“As we develop this country and open our doors to international visitors and investors let us take pride in keeping our environment clean. The PSC will continue to work with the government and all stakeholders to help to maintain a clean and litter free environment.”
Garbage strewn across streets and piled up on road corners and other areas continues to be one of the sore points, especially in the city.
When there are public holidays that see large crowds on the streets or in the National Park, such as Easter and Mashramani, the following day garbage is piled up all over the city. Some people have opined that it is because of the lack of public garbage receptacles but even if there are bins nearby, there are those who still dispose of their waste wantonly.
Periodically, there are cleanup exercises across the country and areas would be clean for a few days. Singh said that this should not be as cleanup exercises set the tone for a continuum by the public. “One day there would be a cleanup and the next couple days people gone right back to littering. If there is good enforcement this would not happen,” he said.
The PSC plans to donate to the City Council in Georgetown over 150 drums which it hopes would be placed strategically across the city.
