Dear Editor,
The deteriorating state of garbage disposal in the city of Georgetown demands urgent and sustained attention from both the Central Government and the citizenry. While the City Council has made commendable efforts under constrained resources, the challenges of maintaining a clean and healthy environment are compounded by limited financial support from the Central Government and the irresponsible behaviour of some residents and vendors. Effective waste management must therefore be seen as a shared responsibility among all stakeholders, government, private sector, and citizens alike (United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP], 2023).
It is undeniable that the Central Government must be called out for not providing adequate financial and logistical support to the municipality. Without consistent allocations for waste collection, equipment, and human resources, the City Council’s capacity to maintain cleanliness is severely undermined. However, citizens, including vendors, must also take responsibility for ensuring that unwanted waste is properly disposed of. Clean streets and public spaces are not possible when individuals continue to dump indiscriminately, clogging drains and creating unsanitary conditions (World Bank, 2022).
Following the return of local democracy in 2016, after two decades of neglect under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the Coalition Government reintroduced local government elections and held two such exercises within five years. During that period, the city saw marked improvements in environmental management. Garbage was collected regularly, and receptacle bins were strategically placed across main corridors such as Regent Street. Additionally, the restoration of public landmarks like the 1966 Independence Arch on Brickdam and the Georgetown Cemetery reflected a renewed civic pride and environmental discipline (Kaieteur News, 2018).
However, post-August 2020, the city has seemingly reverted to its old ways. A simple walk along Orange Walk reveals the pervasive stench from the Bourda Market area, where overflowing bins; often filled with coconut shells and other refuse, block roadways and hinder traffic flow. Such conditions are not only unpleasant but also hazardous to public health (Stabroek News, 2024).
With Minister Priya Manickchand now heading the Ministry of Local Government, some commendable initiatives have been implemented to address waste in areas like Kitty and within school environments. Her engagement with the Mayor, His Worship Alfred Mentore, reflects an understanding that consultation, collaboration, communication, and cooperation are essential to resolving these issues. Yet, these efforts require more than dialogue; they require sustained investment, logistical consistency, and a clear policy direction. One-off national clean-up campaigns, while useful, do not address the systemic and behavioural roots of the garbage crisis (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2023).
At this point, it is time to stop playing politics with the city and to focus on addressing the core issues that affect the wellbeing of our people and the sustainability of our communities. Georgetown’s challenges cannot be effectively resolved when partisan considerations overshadow public interest. The citizens of Georgetown deserve a clean, safe, and livable environment, and this can only be achieved through genuine cooperation between Central Government, City Hall, and the residents themselves.
During a walk through several main corridors this week, I was disheartened by the callous disregard some individuals show towards their surroundings. Even sacred spaces such as the Lutheran Church between North Road and Alexander Street and the Bedford Methodist Church have become victims of indiscriminate dumping. Similarly, the open spaces around Stabroek Square are once again accumulating waste, a visible reminder of civic indiscipline.
The culture must change. The City Council must intensify public education campaigns, enforce existing sanitation by-laws, and take decisive action against delinquents. While I acknowledge the Council’s challenges, the time has come for firm and consistent enforcement. As citizens, we must recognise that “the city belongs to us.” The environment is a shared heritage, and maintaining it begins with personal accountability. We readily comply with sanitation laws when abroad; it is time we apply that same respect for order at home. As the Christmas season approaches, both the Central Government and the City Council must ensure that a contingency plan is in place to prevent garbage pile-ups and the potential for public health crises. There has been much discussion about major drainage projects, yet the garbage situation remains equally urgent. If left unchecked, it threatens not only the city’s image but also the health and dignity of its people.