A PRIVATE firm will be contracted to remove garbage from Bourda Market under the government-led scheme to clean up and beautify Georgetown, in time for the Cricket World Cup matches here next year, and beyond, it was announced yesterday.
The decision came during a visit to the popular municipal market by Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Mr. Kellawan Lall, Transport and Hydraulics Minister, Mr. Robeson Benn, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Robert Williams and other members of an inspection team.
Their aim was to determine what improvements could be made there, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
Several concerns, it said, were raised about refuse, physical appearance, maintenance, security and the stench emanating from around the market.
The agency said Williams announced that from January 1, 2007, Cevon’s Waste Management will be contracted to remove all the garbage from Bourda Market and the 17 Mayor and City Council (M&CC) workers who now do the job will be employed by the company.
But cleaning the internal drains will remain the responsibility of the municipality, GINA stated.
It said Lall spoke of the callousness displayed where garbage disposal is concerned, moreso by businesses operating in the vicinity of the market.
He and the others with him examined the condition of the alleyway on the eastern side of the market and it was noted, by M&CC officials, that vagrants who occupy the pavement parallel to the alleyway contribute to the refuse in the drainage network, GINA reported.
The agency said the culvert at the junction of South Road and Orange Walk is being cleared before work commences in the alleyway.
Benn enquired about the conditions of water hydrants in the market, emphasising the need for dysfunctional ones to be repaired.
GINA said he and Lall also enquired about the cleaning schedule for the market and agreed that the system needs improving.
The visiting team included members of a special task force named by President Bharrat Jagdeo to craft and implement a rigorous programme for enhancing the city and its environs.
The group comprises representatives of the Ministries of Local Government and Public Works, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the M&CC and the private sector.
GINA said the areas of immediate focus are from Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, to Georgetown and East Coast Demerara.
The agency said their mandate covers garbage collection and disposal, rehabilitation of road shoulders and verges, drains and canals, parapets and avenues and removing impediments on roadways.
GINA said the appearance is also to be boosted with the government spending more than $700M to finance road repairs and drainage works.
That sum, it said, includes $200M allocated for betterment in the city, $400M to be spent under the Urban Development Programme (UDP) for repairing about 200 roads within the capital and $100M the Public Works Ministry will spend also on city roadways.