Even as the central government continues with cleanup initiatives around the country, garbage collection continues to be a sore point in several wards of Georgetown and City Hall blames some of its contractors.
Garbage bins and other receptacles were overflowing throughout the Campbellville and Bel Air areas up to yesterday.
“They haven’t come for the past two weeks. The garbage is overflowing and the dogs in the area are making a mess of the garbage,” Stone Avenue, Campbellville resident Jonice Alfred told the Stabroek News.
Bel Air Village housewife Amrita Persaud lamented that she was tired of complaining. “Last week I heard the truck de break down and they would come Monday. But yesterday pass and them still nah come. Is one bin me geh and look how it running over,” she expressed.
Another resident who requested anonymity, complained, “When the trucks don’t come, there isn’t any public notice and sometimes you have to take your garbage bins back inside. Horses roam the streets and knock over bins and in the mornings it is a sight for sore eyes. How can there be appeals for a clean city and clean country when City Hall is not pulling its weight?”
Solid Waste Chief Walter Narine is currently on leave but referred this newspaper to his deputy Floyd Rollins, who said last week, after complaints from residents and checks by his staff, the contractor informed the city that the truck “broke down but they would work on Thursday”.
Yesterday, he said that the contractor gave all assurances that he would be working but he was not sure what happened. He said that he would check into the issue and get back to this newspaper but up to press time he had not done so and calls to his mobile number went unanswered.
A private garbage pickup service yesterday worked in the Bel Air and Campbellville areas, charging residents $700 per barrel. However, some residents said that they did not hear the calls from that service or they would have paid and had their refuse removed.
‘Comprehensive draft’
At a statutory meeting last week Monday, Mayor of Georgetown Alfred Mentore expressed deep concern over the ongoing garbage collection issues plaguing the city.
He questioned 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 was significantly understaffed and 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.
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 this document as part of his preparation for discussions with the union aimed at implementing the necessary changes to the city’s waste management system.
Earlier this month, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) called on citizens to uphold cleanliness in their surroundings and embrace sustainable waste management practices. The PSC bemoaned the fact that each year, millions of dollars are diverted to cleanup efforts, resources that could be better utilised for critical national development projects. It noted that as Guyana continues to position itself as a leader in sustainable development, littering and illegal dumping present significant environmental risks and public health concerns, directly counteracting the country’s green initiatives.
As such, the PSC urged local authorities and townships to focus on the efficacy of the systems that are covered in law to fulfil their responsibilities. The release also “strongly” urged all Guyanese to refrain from littering.
Last Saturday, President Irfaan Ali participated in yet another country-wide cleanup campaign, this one organised by the Ministry of Public Works.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release, the head-of-state was joined by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar.
The exercise focused on the drainage and irrigation systems around various locations in the city, especially at the DSL Junction on Mandela Avenue, Ruimveldt, where President Ali aided in the cleanup efforts
The release noted that in that area, the drainage was poor which often caused water to settle on one side of the road. President Ali and his team managed to create channels to facilitate the proper drainage of the water. Additionally, where thick vegetation had been sprouting, landscaping was done to create an aesthetically pleasing environment.
The exercise saw other cabinet members being dispatched to various locations and regions to work hand-in-hand with residents for the development of a hygienic environment. To achieve this objective the President has ensured that constant cleaning exercises are held during the year in each of the ten administrative regions.
The DPI explained that for this to be more effective, the responsibility has been narrowed down to the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities to ensure that residents within the communities participate.
An initiative known as the Community Enhancement Workers Programme was also implemented to achieve the goal of a cleaner country. The programme has allowed persons to be employed while aiding in the cleanliness of their communities.
In this year’s budget, some $1.5 billion was allocated to maintain this programme, which has so far seen approximately 2,000 people gain employment.
