President Ali links waste management to community green space development

On Monday, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali unveiled plans to advance Guyana’s National Solid Waste Management and Beautification Initiative, tying the effort directly to community development and sustainable urban planning.

The President met with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand and a multi-agency team to outline proposals for new and expanded landfill sites across the country. The initiative is designed not only to improve waste disposal systems but also to transform communities through cleaner environments and designated green spaces.

Ali emphasized that the approach will be collaborative, involving the Ministries of Housing, Tourism, and Local Government in identifying sites for beautification projects, recreation areas, and community parks. “This is about more than waste it’s about creating spaces where families can gather and communities can thrive,” he noted in a statement.

Officials said groundwork for the project is expected to begin before the end of 2025. Housing Minister Collin Croal, Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Public Service and Government Efficiency Zulfikar Ally, and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Steven Jacobs were among those present.

The President’s meeting followed another with Minister Manickchand meeting with Director of Sanitation at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Walter Narine, while Mayor Alfred Mentore was out of the jurisdiction.

The meeting was prompted by several complaints and visible evidence regarding the current state of un-cleanliness in the city. Discussions focused on identifying the challenges affecting waste management and sanitation and exploring practical measures to improve the situation.

Minister Manickchand emphasized the Government’s priority that communities become beautiful places of residence and dwelling and was clear that the capital city must reflect the country’s beauty, warmth and hospitality. “We know what the issues are. Let’s get about working towards solutions that involve all stakeholders,” she said.

By linking solid waste management to urban renewal, the government aims to align environmental policy with quality-of-life improvements. Analysts say this reflects a shift from viewing waste solely as a sanitation issue to treating it as a cornerstone of sustainable development and city planning.

The programme will involve national participation, calling on local councils, businesses, and citizens to support cleaner communities and greener public spaces. Officials indicated that further details on specific sites and timelines will be released in the coming weeks.