At a statutory meeting on Monday, Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore expressed deep concern over the ongoing garbage collection issues plaguing the city.
He questioned Deputy Solid Waste Director, Floyd Rollins, about the uneven waste management across different areas, highlighting the stark contrast between neighbourhoods that are cleaned daily and those that appear neglected.
The mayor voiced his frustration over the numerous complaints he has received from residents and described the embarrassment he feels when driving through certain parts of the city, particularly on weekends, where garbage piles are increasingly common.
During the meeting, Mentore sought clarification from Town Clerk, Candace Nelson, on how the sanitation workers and dumpsites are scheduled, and whether any staff are assigned to evening shifts. Nelson explained that the city currently lacks an evening cleanup crew, primarily due to staffing shortages within the Solid Waste Department. She noted that the department is significantly understaffed and is therefore unable to support a team that could handle nighttime garbage collection.
Nelson further pointed out that the sanitation workers are members of the Guyana Labour Union, which complicates any immediate changes to their work schedules. She advised that in order to implement a shift system or introduce overtime work, the City Council would need to engage in negotiations with the union to reach an agreement.
In response, Mentore expressed his willingness to meet with the union to address the escalating garbage problem. He emphasised the urgency of the situation, citing the widespread accumulation of waste as a critical issue that demands immediate attention.
Rollins also contributed to the discussion, explaining that garbage collection has been further hampered by the early closure of dumpsites and the shortage of workers available for late pickups.
In an effort to move the matter forward, the mayor requested that Rollins prepare a comprehensive draft, detailing the current workers’ schedule, the operating hours of dumpsites, and a map outlining the specific locations affected by irregular garbage collection. Mentore stated his eagerness to review these documents as part of his preparation for discussions with the union aimed at implementing the necessary changes to the city’s waste management system.
