D’Urban Backlands for environment enhancement

Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green recently met residents of Lodge Housing Scheme and Century Palm Gardens, D’Urban Backlands at Enterprise Primary School and discussed an environment enhancement project for their respective communities.

In brief remarks, he explained that the project which is expected to commence shortly would be executed in two stages; the first being a response to the issue of litter and waste management in the communities.

According to Green, like many other areas around the city, the challenge of improper disposal of garbage is one that plagues these areas. He said efforts will be made to provide receptacles for the proper disposal of refuse at zero or low cost. Once this is in place, he said, residents would have no excuse for dumping their garbage in prohibited zones.

The second part of the project, according to Green, would be the fostering of a close relationship between the residents and the contractors in the areas so that greater support can be acquired. Too often, the mayor said, there is a lack of support from community members in the execution of such projects because officials fail to discuss with them the plans and changes that are to be undertaken in their areas.

For this venture, the mayor stressed, “there must be full cooperation by all,” and residents must put out their garbage in a proper manner for collection.

Green also told the meeting that funding had been received and a garbage truck was bought for waste collection from the two communities. The project is being pursued in collaboration with the Japanese government who is providing funding.

Meanwhile, prior to the commencement of the project, the mayor said, another meeting will be held on Tuesday at 5 pm also at the Enterprise Primary School at which target groups will be selected to aid in the proper implementation of the project.

According to Green, Lodge Housing Scheme and Century Palm Gardens were selected because for too long they had not received the attention they deserved. This, the mayor said, was partly due to the lack of funds which stems from the financial ills of the municipality.

Following the response to the first two phases of the project, Green said it is intended that road repairs and improved street lighting would be tackled.

The mayor added that this project aims to set the two neighbourhoods apart from others and make them the cleanest and most beautiful in the city.

He also urged the residents to engage in planting fruit trees and flower plants.