Waste collection falls from 50 bags to 2 in one week at Stabroek – Local Govt Minister

Official progress has been swift at the revitalised Stabroek Market Square, according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand, who provided a detailed update on the area’s transformation.
Manickchand reported that garbage levels have significantly decreased since new waste-management systems were introduced earlier this week.
She detailed the rapid decline in waste collected; before the bins were installed, cleanup crews had collected 50 extra-large bags of garbage on Sunday.
By Wednesday, that number fell to five bags, and on Friday morning only two bags were collected – the bins are being emptied twice daily as they continue to fill up regularly.
Manickchand attributed the improvement to increased public participation.
She explained that a wider cross-section of people have begun using the bins, including passersby, vendors, commuters and vagrants.
This shift, she noted, signals that “Guyanese want a cleaner, more orderly country,” adding that the progress marks the beginning of a renewed culture of responsibility at Stabroek Square. The Minister said the Government’s key performance indicators reflect that the initiative is working and that the transformation extends beyond waste management.
She highlighted that beautification efforts are already underway, noting that festive decorations will soon illuminate the area for the Christmas season. According to her, the goal is to reshape the environment into a space that fosters culture, unity, and tradition. She stated that visitors can expect a stunning display behind the market during the holidays – not “Times Square”, she clarified, but a renewed “Stabroek Square”, restored to its identity and charm. Officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development in October began a citywide clean-up campaign in keeping with the Government’s national beautification project.
Leading the initiative were Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand, Minister within the Ministry Pauline Sukhai, Director General Anand Persaud, Permanent Secretary (PS) Miguel Choo-Kang, and Deputy PS (Administration) Dr Josh Kanhai, along with senior officials of the Ministry. In fact, the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry on Monday evening launched its community-focused “Going Forward” initiative at the Stabroek Market Square, introducing a cleaner, more organised environment through the strategic placement of garbage bins at 40-foot intervals across the busy commercial area.
The installation of bins stretches from Brickdam Street, starting at the Head of Avenue of the Republic, down to Stabroek Stelling; continues along Lombard Street in the vicinity of the market; extends along Water Street from Stabroek Market up to America Street; and runs alongside the perimeter of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
To maintain a clean environment, garbage collection will take place twice daily, between 13:00h and 15:00h, and again between 16:00h and 18:00h. These targeted collection windows are designed to align with market hours and waste build-up patterns, ensuring that the surroundings remain clean and accessible for vendors, customers, and passers-by.  The Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Priya Manickchand, emphasised that the Ministry’s approach is one rooted in partnership rather than punishment at this stage. She stated that at this point, enforcement will not be the immediate focus.
Instead, the Ministry will engage with citizens to promote behavioural change and civic responsibility. Monday’s community-centred engagement was led by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand. She underscored that Stabroek Market is not only a commercial hub but also a living symbol of the nation’s culture, history, and resilience. The vendors who earn their livelihood there are a vital part of the city, and their cooperation is essential to sustaining a thriving and environmentally healthy market environment.