Dear Editor,
Please refer to a letter which appeared in your Stabroek News issue of Friday, December 5, 2008: ‘Georgetown must be one of the dirtiest cities in the world,’ by Mr Clive Fredericks. We are aware of this challenge and have been doing all things practicable to change what has apparently become a culture among some of our people. It is so wrong to mess up the city with all kinds of rubbish and yet people appear not to be even bothered by the unfriendly environmental action of indiscriminately dumping the stuff wherever they very well please.
For the Mayor and City Council it is not an easy task. We spend about one million dollars per day to collect and dispose of garbage from every area in the city of Georgetown. For this year, solid waste management accounted for 17% of our total expenditure. In addition, we spend another 34 million dollars in related public health activities, including environmental health, vector control and city sanitation. We did not mention the challenges we face in addressing the needs of other sections because we are forced to divert scarce resources to clean up the garbage on the parapets and other waste around the city. It is a shame that our disposal habits are not compatible with the push for development and prosperity in our country.
However, we have said in previous communications, that the problem of litter and improper disposal is a symptom of a wider problem; that problem is the lack of positive civic-attitudes on the part of some of our citizens. It is striking that we love to bask in the glory of other cities, which have one thing that is sadly lacking in our communities – their citizens have a respect for the law and the environment.
Almost every day, public relations receives complaints about the attitudes of citizens towards their neighbours and their general surroundings. They throw their tree trimmings on the parapet, at the front of their neighbour’s yard; they dump derelict vehicles on any parapet or in any open field; in the city they allow their storm water to run into the yard next door, and the list goes on and on. Some citizens do not want to speak out for fear of being abused by the perpetrators of such unkind acts.
Look at what some citizens, including some businessmen, who can do better, are doing to the litter bins which were installed in the city in a collaborative effort between the private sector and the council. They are filling them with garbage that should otherwise be properly stored and removed by our Solid Waste Management Department. Many businessmen pay very small amounts of money to those who have veered off the normal side of life, to throw their garbage anywhere out of their sight.
In the end, the city gets the blame. But it is unfair to hold the municipality accountable for the attitude and behaviour of citizens towards the environment, particularly in circumstances where in spite of our very narrow revenue base we are trying our utmost. Perhaps, we need to do more in the area of law enforcement to arrest and prosecute those litterbugs. But the process to prosecute them is so cumbersome that it blunts our effort. This is the reason why, some time ago, we had asked for a municipal court to treat council matters with dispatch.
Notwithstanding that, citizens must begin to see the physical condition of their local communities as a personal responsibility. This is exactly what we were trying to do when we encouraged residents in different areas to organize themselves into community development groups and work together to improve conditions in their communities. We believe that the situation can change. However, it requires civic commitment by all and in particular a sense of social responsibility on the part of businesses to keep Georgetown clean and tidy.
Yours faithfully,
Royston King
Public Relations Officer
Mayor and Councillors
City of Georgetown
Royston I commend your reply to the letter. It lets us know that someone is aware and caring. What wrote about was what I expected you to say. I personally believe that it takes the citizens of Guyana to take into account their own habits. I however know that not only organizing will work, but more enforcement. Guyanese have a habit of littering without thinking. Enforcement for those who litter with high penalty’s or a week in jail will change some people’s minds. Trust me it will. In the city I live in just littering will give you a US$500-1000. When I travel to my offices in Toronto, Canada, it can be up to CDN$5000. When people are more aware of the consequences that are associated with their actions they will second think “throwing that bottle in the trench”. Also have enforcement overseeing the enforcers. There is too much bribe takers in Guyana. Everytime I go back home, I always see a police officer or other official taking bribes. I am grateful of your response hope you continue with the goodwork on your part. It takes all citizens to truly fix this problem.
So true!
Royston, you have made the position of the City Council very clear. Yes, businesses pay to have their garbage dumped all over. The bribe taking by constables is a problem also.
RL
Royston and Hammie just don’t get it. Device a plan to penalize people who litter. A ticket writing system can be it. But these guys just sit on their fat behinds at the council and think god will send them down a plan and make every citizen throw their garbage in the bins. What clueless people we have running that city.
Singh, I think you are the one who don’t get it. Royston’s statements clearly state that they asked for a municipal court so they can expedite and enforce their laws, but it’s the gov. who is clueless and sitting on their fat behinds. If the gov. would give the city what they need( a municipal court, and power to run the city, we will see results.
The gov. is doing the same thing to the mayor as it did to PNC when they had power. (SABOTAGE)
“- their citizens have a respect for the law and environment”.
It’s not that their cirizens have a respect for the law and environment (people do the same nastiness here too) but the law is enforced.
You crying for money – begin envorcing the law – that is where the buck is Mr KING.
A very good response reference the article above.
A recommendation if I may suggest, is to institute a national earth day/green day/ green peace day clean-up day or what every is appropriate. Involve everyone and community and eventually institute recycling with maybe a refund or credit for returning disposable/recycle items. As Guyana is embracing the kick to save the environment with the buying of credits, this would be a great starting point and venture.
Everyone should be involved in the area beautification, schools can clean in and around their building, the market square can work on their environment, city workers can work on public areas and everyone should be involved in the clean-up process. Maybe give out incentives for best community or best kept yard with rewards such as food vouchers or whatever fit the situation. Eventually relocate squatters to a suitable area so they do not remain an eye sore and do not contribute to the situation
No penalty in jail ~ let the punishment fit the crime so if folks are caught littering – give them community service / fine, so they will have to clean and help beautify a specific area. Then there will labor to clean without having to pay additional funds to a different set of workers. This could lead into a win-win situation. Big businesses also made to pay a hefty fine for non-compliance and should be made to clean up their mess also. Some folks may not have money to pay for a fine.
Post signs about littering which would lead into a fine, advertise for a cleaner beautiful Georgetown / Guyana. Pretty soon folk will get on board; will get the picture of how serious the city is; and will begin to care as they will be made to clean up their mess. If they have a job, then make them beautify on the weekends. Once you infringe on folks’ personal time, they will begin to care.
On the other hand the city council have to do their part and clean major areas, like the zoo, botanical gardens, cemetery, bushes around the street corner, control the traffic on the seawall, instill traffic signs at the appropriate junctions, street lights…. One cannot advertise one standard while the other is doing another. It is like do as I say and not as I do or like the pot calling the kettle black.
It has be a collective effort. Clean up day should be done before the rainy season and if the city cannot institute a national clean-up day which encompasses the citizens, then it should be a national clean-up day for the city and sanitary workers. This would help with the flooding which comes in the rainy season and will also eliminate the stagnant water which contributes to all kinds of disease.
I know that most folks like myself would like to help with a national clean up day with donating resources to help with the cause. It is all about pride.
correction – not a national clean-up day for the city and sanitary workers; but a clean-up day or clean-up week may be more appropriate with the amount of work to be done.
they need to reinstate national service this is the only way the place will be kept clean
The Mayor and his entire staff should be given TWO life sentences for the present state in which the city is in now.
Agreed !
That guy…
Royston King
Public Relations Officer
Mayor and Councillors
City of Georgetown
is in a useless job.
He is like a yo-yo…from the City to the Police, then back again to the City, then move back again, then back again….
is time he retire.
I could never stand his writings…exercises in verbosity.
The citizens of Guyana are the ones who should get the life sentence. They are the ones that make the mess.
I respect Mr.King’s response, mostly the tone of same.
However, it’s time to ENFORCE that fine which was tailored some years ago.(10,000.)
Something must be done about this situation, it’s disgusting and a health risk to ALL.
Requires a commitment, yes,as most Guyanese in certain areas of Guyana are filthy and nasty people in reference to their their surroundings. But first, the government has to have a clean up plan. That begins with an admitted declaration to the world.”Georgetown the tumbledown capital,and other Guyanese cities, are among the world’s filthiest.We are taking steps to change that.”