After noticing the positive impact cleanup campaigns have been having on the city, the Georgetown City Council along with volunteers from a range of communities yesterday hosted another one.
Upon its appointment to office in January, the new city council started community-driven clean-up initiatives, and with the continuous turnout of dedicated volunteers, the project has continued, with persons heading to different communities monthly to clean the canals and sanitise housing areas.
Louisa Row, North Ruimveldt and Werk-en-Rust were the three areas the group targeted yesterday. These areas were sprayed and sanitised to get rid of mosquitoes and other harmful insects that breed in stagnant areas. The canals were also cleaned.
Dawn Stewart, one of the councillors, told this newspaper that Mayor Ubraj Narine and Jonny Taylor were spearheading the project yesterday. She said councillors from the City Council were present to assist in the cleanup and noted that others who participated were dedicated volunteers from various communities.
Stewart explained that they began the initiative in January and their goal is to restore down-trodden communities and make the city a safe and clean place. She revealed that seven communities have been cleaned during the course of the year and because of positive results, they will continue along their path. She noted that because of the constant cleanups, which include the clearing of canals and desilting of drains, flood waters have been receding much more quickly compared to past years.
One of the volunteers, Gavin Lovell, said that he joined the group since it began in January and explained that he continued volunteering because he sees the impact it is making on the community. “It is very good doing the volunteer work, like keep the country clean and health wise also,’ he added.
However, according to Lovell, while there have been huge turnouts on the first three occasions, the numbers are dwindling although new persons come out every month. He revealed that it might be because persons are unaware of what they are doing. “It’s good what the council is doing and I would like to encourage youth and young folks to come out so we can make our city clean,” Lovell said.
