Seawall cleanup initiative

Dear Editor,
I write to applaud the First Lady, Her Excellency Arya Ali, for her campaign to clean up neighbourhoods. The Georgetown seawall environs has really stood out, attracting onlookers and universal praise. Everyone has complimented the work of the First Lady; it was an initiative never before attempted by any Guyanese First Lady or Minister. She has received the highest ratings among all First Ladies.

Lady Arya has seen her approval and favourability ratings shoot up for this cleanup campaign, surpassing even those of the President, who is tending to the political aspects of governance while his wife attends to social events.
Local clean-ups, including planting trees, recycling and reducing waste and educating people about cleanliness, will go a long way in protecting our environment and greening the country.
Lady Arya is being praised all around for her work, as I have found in polling with Guyanese. Lady Arya is rehabilitating an area that was known for poor hygiene and sanitation, ravaged through neglect. Such cleanliness will help with sustainable development.
The seawall area is immaculately clean, given a facelift never expected. The clean-up is being duplicated in various parts of the country.

The manicured, idyllic surrounding of the seawall have become an attraction. People describe the area as a showpiece, unimagined mere weeks ago, before the First Lady began her clean-up campaign of communities. The rehabilitated seawall area will draw tourists, boosting sales of vendors who peddle snacks, drinks, and other items. Such cleaning-up is combating pollution and conserving the environment.
I visited the seawall area during regular trips to Guyana over the last several years. Conditions sent a signal that the city did not care about the place; and it was an open invitation for vandalism and robbery. I was always fearful of venturing in the dark; in fact, visitors were also scared of going in desolate areas during the day. Choke-and-rob bandits preyed on people. Many have been robbed there, and some violently. The dirty, unkempt, desolate, and poorly lit area generated conditions conducive to crime and violence in the dark. I am delighted that the First Lady has thoroughly cleaned up the area, making it appealing for a visit to enjoy evening walks and snacks.

A well-maintained public space with patrols should discourage criminals and gangs from operating in the area. Environmental guards should be hired and given responsibility for keeping the area clean. Citations with heavy fines should be given for dumping and other acts of pollution.

Others should follow the lead of the First Lady. NDCs and mayoralties should lead clean-up campaigns especially in market areas. Jobs should be created to clean drains and maintain community cleanliness. Professional community sweepers and gardeners should be hired. Streets should be paved and roads repaired. The public must also be educated about cleanliness and good sanitation. Students from kindergarten should be socialised into having a clean environment. Clean public spaces will spur development. Fines should be levied on polluters.

Community service should be encouraged throughout the nation, with various incentives – prizes, grants, and other forms of recognition for those who are immersed into cleaning and maintaining a green environment. Kudos to the First Lady for this wonderful initiative.

Yours truly
Vishnu Bisram