Enforcement is next step to ensure country remains clean – President Ali
Heavy emphasis will be placed on enforcement to ensure that the country remains clean, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday during the national clean-up exercise along Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.
The Head of State pointed to some improvement in the state of cleanliness in the area since the last exercise, which he said is a step in the right direction. He, however, called for intensified efforts to curb the dumping of garbage.
“We have given enough time, enough education programmes; enforcement is going to become a major aspect of what we are doing.”
The President said that following the national clean-up effort, work will begin on improving the secondary drainage run-off across the country, in a phased manner. He reiterated that cleanliness and the upkeep of the environment are a shared responsibility.
The Head of State and other officials during the clean-up exercise on Saturday
He was joined at the exercise by the Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips; Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill; Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Head of the Private Sector Commission Paul Chung among others.
However, Dr Ali lauded the participation of the youths from Albouystown and members of the football community who came out in their numbers to join in the exercise. He also pointed to the massive mobilisation of the Men on Mission (MOM) team.
“Today, they are part of the national effort to make a positive change, and this is the type of behavioural influence we want all across the country.”
The President and his team visited several locations in the city, including D’Urban Park, the seawall, and the Stabroek Market, and then headed to Charity in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The countrywide clean-up exercise is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works’ National Enhancement Committee and saw the involvement of various stakeholders, including Government agencies, the diplomatic corps, the private sector, NGOs the Joint Services, and members of civil society.
