…dumpers reportedly hiding in-house
…Mayors laments insufficient laws to prosecute such dumpers
Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, on Wednesday, underscored the pressing need for Guyana to establish sturdy littering by-laws and enforcement for such after a large pile of medical waste was dumped on the corner of Oronoque and Forshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, and left accessible to the public.
The Mayor took to Facebook to express his profound disappointment not only in the act but in the fact that the current legislation is not enough to prevent reoccurrence. On the parapet of the said street corner, two large mounds of cardboard boxes stood, many with the label ‘Medicines Handle with Care’.
“Today, at the corner of Oronoque and Forshaw Street, Queenstown one of the residents decided to dispose of medical waste on our parapets. In an attempt to engage the residents, they decided to shelter themselves on their property,” the Mayor stated.
“Littering is one of the most pressing issues in the City of Georgetown. The Mayor and City Council works tirelessly trying to keep the City clean to the available capacity. To see that some of our Guyanese brothers and sisters do not respect taxpayers’ monies, which are invested in cleaning these parapets and costing the City more and more every day, is turning the City into a spectacle. People are becoming more complacent to dumping wherever they see fit. Without a littering by-law and enforcement, this will be an ongoing issue.”
The Mayor pointed out that any medical supplies within the boxes can be taken by “social rejects or opportunists” who for resale. Though the specific case is currently being highlighted, he underscored that littering is not just a Central or Local Government issue but every person should be held accountable for littering.
The Mayor urged: “Please stop dumping in the City, let’s make it our duty to keep our country safe and clean.” When the Village Voice last checked early Wednesday afternoon, no one had been arrested.
