– Minister Manickchand, Citizens and Vendors Unite for a Cleaner City
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, spearheaded a significant clean-up initiative at Stabroek Market Square as part of a broader effort to promote a cleaner, greener Guyana.
The initiative seeks to encourage a cultural change in littering behaviour by strategically placing garbage bins at designated points, making it more convenient for residents and visitors to dispose of their waste responsibly.
Speaking at Stabroek Market Square, Minister Manickchand emphasised that the project is designed to make cleanliness a shared habit among citizens.
“You can see bins all around, every forty feet, we have bins”, she said. “We’ll be clearing those bins twice a day.”
The minister also expressed confidence that the new system will help to solve the long-standing garbage issues in one of the busiest parts of the city.
“I suspect that people were dropping their garbage because we didn’t have bins,” Minister Manickchand stated.
“That’s got to be it, right? Not because we want to drop our garbage. So, from now I expect to see this as the model for how we’re going to keep our spaces clean.”
On Monday night, both citizens and vendors welcomed the initiative, joining Minister Manickchand in expressing pride and relief that tangible steps were finally being taken to keep the market square clean.
One woman told the media that she was thrilled to see real action being taken.
According to her, “I love the fact that there’s no longer an excuse; nobody can say there’s nowhere to put garbage anymore.
Every single day they’re emptying the bins twice, and that shows real commitment.”
The pleased resident further remarked that it is now everyone’s responsibility to support the initiative by using the bins properly.
“I really hope Guyanese take this as something great,” she said. “It’s not just putting the bins down; it’s about actually using them consistently.”
Moreover, another long-time vendor also expressed appreciation for the project, while stating that it was long overdue and much needed.
“I talked to Ms. Priya before about the garbage, and now I see progress happening,” the vendor said.
“We’re going to maintain it and make sure the bins are used properly.”
He further pointed out that for many vendors, including himself, maintaining the market area is of personal significance.
He also reported that he has been a vendor for 25 years and, like many of his peers, has consistently opposed the improper disposal of garbage.
“I’ll be that person to make sure the big garbage goes in the bin,” the gentleman stated proudly.
Meanwhile, another citizen shared her pride in seeing the minister keep her word.
“About two and a half weeks back, she was here, and she promised action, and now I see it,” she said.
“When I came this morning, I saw bins all over the Stabroek area.”
The resident urged everyone, including vendors and passers-by, to take responsibility, use the bins, and refrain from littering, so that the city can be maintained in a clean and orderly state.
Overall, the initiative has received strong public support, with many viewing it as a turning point for public cleanliness and civic pride in Georgetown.
With bins being emptied twice daily and citizens promising to play their part, the Stabroek Market Square could soon serve as a model for other communities across Guyana.
Through collective action and shared responsibility, Minister Manickchand’s “Going Forward” campaign is inspiring hope that the country can move toward a cleaner future, one bin at a time.
