Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 26, 2012 Letters
Dear Editor,
Please refer to a letter which appeared in your newspaper’s November 23, 2012 edition: “Is this a Joke?” by Harry Gill. In fact, we appreciate the interest shown by this citizen to events in the city, particularly the garbage crisis facing the Mayor and City Council and residents of all local communities. Indeed, this civic attitude could only help the Council and its officers to pay more attention to their responsibilities to the citizens, and to enhance their capacity to provide a better service to the city.
However, we are challenged to understand certain aspects of his letter. We will point these out and at the same time seek to explain the realities facing the Municipality.
First, in paragraph 1, Mr. Gill states: “Without a doubt, the chronic garbage crises in and around Georgetown is so appalling, it requires a permanent fix, not a shot-in-the-arm as is practised by City Hall.” The Council has always contended that the problem of improper disposal of waste is not a city problem, it is a national one. It is more visible in Georgetown because it is the capital, and obviously, more people traverse the city to do business and for pleasure than any other region in Guyana. When they come they bring and generate waste, which we have to deal with in circumstances where our limited resources are already overstretched.
Furthermore, we were never under any illusion that our efforts alone could actually fix the solid waste problems in the city. We continue to say that the unhealthy situation blighting Georgetown requires the cooperation and support of all concerned: government, corporations, economic, social, cultural and religious organizations and all citizens. This is the reason why we welcome all environmental initiatives, projects and activities, including: “Pick it Up Campaign”, “Guyana Shines” and others.
This is why too, we continue to appeal to the electronic and print media to make a special effort in their daily reports to include aspects of the environment and issues that affect health, and to promote those citizens who are trying to keep their surroundings clean and to encourage citizens to do more to stamp out littering. We agree that it is not the responsibility of the media to do that but responsible journalism could not ignore it.
Second, Mr. Gill suggested that: “City Hall needs to focus its efforts on cleaning up the garbage in the city, and ensure the safety of pedestrians by moving vendors off the streets and sidewalks to allow the smooth flow of vehicular traffic in heavily populated shopping areas, especially in the vicinity of Stabroek Market.” It has not escaped our attention that Mr. Gill seems to believe that Council must be blamed for the current condition of the city. However, we have a different view; citizens must demonstrate civic pride and respect for their general surroundings and the environment. We have said and continue to say that the problem we face as a municipality is not to clean up the city but to keep it clean. We spend about $1million dollars every day to collect garbage from households, parapets and roadsides in the city of Georgetown but residents who are bent on hurting the environment just simply continue to indulge in illegal dumping without any thought of the consequences of their actions.
Also, we have to say that many big businesses are involved in illegal dumping around the city. Some businessmen pay pittance to “junkies” to remove large amounts of garbage from their premises to anywhere in the city.
Every morning, workers employed by some businesses along Regent Street, Water Street and Robb Street could be seen sweeping debris from their stores into the street drains. Others wash the pavements, in front of their stores, with scented things in the mist of pedestrians and others who use these thoroughfares.
We have been appealing to businesses not to do that but a few of them insist on this crude method of collection. We will write the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry on this issue, and seek their help to persuade their members to account for their waste and to secure the integrity of the city.
We had also suggested to businesses, particularly food restaurants and other provision shops that they should assist by putting in place adequate receptacles on their business premises to allow their patrons to dispose of wrappings and boxes and other things in an environmentally friendly manner. Therefore, we must be very clear that not only the vendors but also some big businesses and many citizens are involved this really embarrassing action.
Citizens will ask about us enforcing the law but this has its own challenges as well including the processes involved in apprehending litter- bugs and the cumbersomeness of the courts.
Nevertheless, our anti-litter campaign has been modestly effective.
Mr. Gill talks about relocating the vendors: “One way to do this is to temporarily relocate vendors to the sparsely used Parade Ground during the Christmas season, until a more permanent location can be identified.” This is a very complex issue that requires a wider intervention than just relocation.
The truth is, we have relocated vendors to new shopping facilities- Stabroek Bazaar, Merriman’s Mall, Riverview Market, New Vendors’ Mall and quite a few other places but that did not solve the problem. Perhaps, there is need for research and a comprehensive project to address street vending in Georgetown. What we know is that some businesses and vendors have a symbiotic relationship. Indeed, many are encouraged to ply their trade by some businessmen, who provide them with credit facilities.
Also, the traffic congestion, in certain areas, mentioned in the letter, could not be fairly linked to street vending alone. There are numerous other factors that contribute to the vehicular traffic problem in the city, including, the need for a different approach to public transportation in Guyana, the lack of proper parking facilities and a good network of appropriate public spaces to encourage cycling and walking by citizens.
Finally, Mr. Gill has challenged the Council to “adopt a ‘Zero Tolerance’ approach to polluting…” Council has already adopted that approach but lacks the requisite resources to strictly enforce it. For example, the Constabulary is working way below its authorized strength, we are short on staff at the Public Health Department and the city coffers are peculiarly shallow.
Some time ago, we had put forward the suggestion of a Municipal Court to expedite such matters as littering. Also, we had suggested instituting the ticketing system for litter-bugs. Therefore, the effectiveness of that approach depends on the appropriate resources, which the Council does not possess at this point in time. As a result, we have to depend on the individual pride and cooperation of citizens to our efforts to improve the condition of the city.
Royston King
Public Relations Officer
Mayor and City Council
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