An attempt to find out the date when the Georgetown sewerage system was started has failed.
It happened during my childhood and should be about 70 years old or more. Prior to that we had a concrete tank in the yard and our sewage was collected there. Every few months a vehicle would come and clear the concrete tank. As children we were fascinated with the operation; we peeped through the wooden shutters to see the men at work. As for the smell, that did not bother us at all. When the sewerage system was installed we were delighted.
It now seems that people have to be educated to use a sewerage system. The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has advised consumers not to endanger the system by throwing all kinds of garbage into the toilet bowls. Some of the things deposited are condoms, napkins, sanitary pads and pampers. On one occasion a person of unsound mind attempted to throw a hammock down a toilet bowl.
It is of no use speaking to persons about the use of toilet bowls and it seems that the standard of English is so low that it is pointless using written words to advise our consumers on how to use the toilet bowls. The GWI has advised consumers on several occasions, but still they continue to misuse the system.
What is the result of this misuse? In some yards there are chambers belonging to GWI. When the manholes are blocked the chambers overflow and cause great discomfort to the owner of the premises and to surrounding residents.
As of today there are three leakages known to us; one at Henry Street has been ongoing for four months. Can you imagine living with a flow of sewage for four months in your yard? Another leakage at Duke Street, Kingston has been continuing, for years off and on. Surely residents in Duke Street do not throw garbage into their toilet bowls. Another leak takes place at Hincks Street, a business community.
About 40 years ago I heard of sewage leak on a street in Manaus, Brazil. I was horrified. Today it is happening in Georgetown and it seems that GWI is unable to rectify the situation. The manhole is cleaned and there is temporary relief to the citizens affected, but in a short while the overflow continues.
GWI says that it expects to receive pumps in December. Maybe we have to wait until December to have this problem completely solved.
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With regard to consumers of unsound mind, Minister Benn has disclosed rehabilitative strategies for the mentally ill. “He said his ministry was still finalizing the design for the facility and this will be released to the public soon.
“The Mayor and City Council have also announced that they will remove people of unsound minds from the streets.”
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Consumers are being advised to look closely at the expiry date on food products that they purchase in the markets.
It was reported in Stabroek News of June 27 that the expiry date for food labels in Berbice have been tampered with and the Analyst Department has made a big seizure.
We received a report that someone was importing expired goods from Suriname, altering the expiry dates and making sales at markets such as Mon Repos and Parika. Consumers may have health problems when they purchase these goods thinking that they are good for consumption.
