Ongoing solid waste management challenges in Georgetown were at the forefront of discussions during a meeting between the Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, Councillors of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Acting Town Clerk Ms. Candace Nelson, and the Honourable Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand.
According to a statement by the Mayor and City Council, Mayor Mentore highlighted the city’s pressing need for additional support to address issues such as illegal dumping, collection inefficiencies, and sanitation concerns. He also stressed the importance of extending the operating hours at the landfill site to facilitate night-time waste clearance, a move he said would improve overall waste management in the capital.
Ignite News had earlier today reported that during this same meeting, Minister Manickchand emphasized that improving Georgetown goes far beyond sanitation and physical upkeep. “It’s more than just sanitation,” she said. “It’s how we welcome people and treat people. It’s how they feel when they come into our city.” She also highlighted the need to foster civic pride, hospitality, and respect, ensuring that residents and visitors alike experience a clean, safe, and welcoming capital.
Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councillor Leon Saul, noted that while the city generates approximately GYD $2.4 billion annually, these resources are insufficient to fully support operations and respond to growing challenges in sanitation and urban upkeep. He called for greater financial backing and investment to ensure the Council can meet the needs of Georgetown’s expanding population.
Councillor Dion Young praised Minister Manickchand for the timely meeting, describing it as a positive step toward collaborative solutions with local government stakeholders. Acting Town Clerk Ms. Candace Nelson expressed her commitment to working closely with the Minister and her team to tackle solid waste and other sanitation challenges while advancing a shared vision of city development.
The engagement was described as constructive and forward-looking, with all parties reaffirming their commitment to improving waste management, enhancing sanitation, and ensuring a cleaner, more resilient Georgetown.
