Brings in retired civil servants for advice
Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake, was briefed on Monday afternoon by senior civil servants from the Department of Infrastructure Management which is spearheading the country-wide clean-up along with garbage company haulers.
The country-wide exercise is part of the after hurricane season clean-up with a major emphasis on the removal of debris and bulk garbage that can become breeding grounds for mosquito’s leading to an increase in mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.
Car wrecks throughout the country will be removed under Police supervision. Community Police Officers will be partaking in the clean-up campaign. A preliminary assessment revealed that in the Philipsburg area alone 85 car wrecks have already been identified for removal.
Garbage haulers will be picking up old household items, domestic trash, old tires, empty drums, plan containers, paint cans and other items that can collect water. All items should be placed outside between 6.30am and 10.30am. A schedule with dates and streets will be published on Wednesday. Flyers will also be distributed throughout the districts about the clean-up campaign.
"No stone will be left unturned in order to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. We need to protect the people and our visitors. Young people from the districts will also be involved, the so-called ‘boys on the block.’ We need all hands on deck for this clean-up, and I call on the nation to monitor media reports for the dates of the clean-up which is spread over four Saturdays starting January 25.
In the Minister’s back to basics approach, Minister Hon. Maurice Lake invited former retired civil servants who worked with the Department of Public Works or the Hygiene Department in the past namely Tony Boyrard, Neville "Doc" Lake, Roland Bryson and Freddy Maccou to a meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss the country-wide clean-up.
"We have a pool of retired civil servants who have worked for Government for a number of years and have provided their expertise during their service to country. I called upon them to attend the meeting to give advice and for them to assists where possible during the one-month campaign.
"Our seniors still can play a role in the development of our country, and that is why I invited them to come in and make a contribution," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Monday.
Also present during the meeting were members of the Minister’s cabinet.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Hon. Maurice Lake (2nd from right) chairing the country-wide clean-up meeting on Monday afternoon.