Tourism Minister urges responsible use of plastic products

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond has urged the public to be more responsible when using plastic products. The Minister made this appeal on Thursday at a prize-giving ceremony for youngsters who participated in the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission’s (CCAC) annual essay and video contests.
The competitions were part of activities to mark World Consumer Rights Day which was observed on March 15, 2021.
While addressing the gathering, Minister Walrond praised the efforts of the awardees, noting that the Government is seeking to give youngsters across Guyana the opportunity to participate in such activities.
She also pledged her support to such initiatives that target the issue of littering and pollution which continue to plague not only Guyana but the global community.
“We are on a transformational path, a transformational agenda here in Guyana, that speaks to inculcating and bringing awareness of our young people to issues that surround them to realise as this group has, that they can be world changers just because they have a voice,” the Minister said.
Minister Walrond said while there is a need for greater enforcement and stringent penalties against littering, citizens also need to be more responsible.
“I believe the solution to pollution is the creation of a paradigm shift in our attitude towards an appreciation for environmental preservation. We have to begin to voice the importance of keeping our environment clean and the importance of responsibly using plastic products…we must take great responsibility and pride beyond the fear of being punished. We should try to do what is right for our future and our future generations.”
According to the Minister, this issue also has an effect on the tourism sector, hence the reason Government is trying to curb the issue.
“We have an awesome eco-tourism product that is marketed… the fact that it is untouched and unblemished plastic kills that market, it can kill that pitch. We want to experience a clean and an attractive environment. Even we ourself when we go and visit a place, we want to ensure that our communities, creeks and rivers are clean so that we can enjoy healthy lives,” the Minister said.
Minister Waldron further encouraged that Guyanese must arm themselves with the fact that we should reuse and recycle where possible, to protect our environment.