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On July 31, in response to a request from the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) engaged city officials on issues of illegal vending and the garbage disposal challenges plaguing the city.

President of the GCCI, Mr. Kester Hutson; Senior Vice President, Mrs. Kathy Smith; Junior Vice President, Mr. Gavin Ramsoondar; Treasurer, Mr. Brian Edwards; Executive Member, Mr. Timothy Tucker, and Councillors, Mr. Keon Howard, Mrs. Kristia Ramlagan-Prescott, and Mrs. Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran met with Mayor Alfred Mentore, Town Clerk, Ms. Candace Nelson, and City Councillors Mr. Jai Narine Singh, Mr. Gregory Fraser, Mr. Steven Jacobs, Mr. Clayton Hinds, and Mr. Kyle Solomon, as well as Director of the Solid Waste Department, Mr. Walter Narine.

The GCCI and M&CC previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration for cooperation related to development within the city, and it was on this basis that the conversation delved into potential joint initiatives targeting the encouragement of proper garbage disposal in Georgetown and solutions to illegal vending.

The M&CC highlighted challenges being experienced including unreliable waste disposal contractors and the failure of some businesses in the city to equip their facilities with waste receptacles.

The GCCI highlighted efforts being made to advocate the use of proper waste disposal receptacles among its members, particularly through the Advocacy and Green Economy Committees. President of the Chamber, Mr. Kester Hutson stated that the GCCI is committed to operating as the conduit between the Council and the business community in lobbying for a cultural shift towards proper garbage disposal. Calls were also made by the GCCI’s Councillors for the strategic placement of waste disposal units around the city.

The GCCI contingent also stressed the importance of enforcement of vending regulations and the establishment of dedicated spaces for vendors, so as to have a balanced approach to the issue that caters to the need to maintain order in the city, while also allowing vendors to preserve their livelihoods. Among the key points raised by the Chamber was the importance of stakeholder collaboration, particularly among the M&CC and Central Government, as well as the private sector, to effectively tackle these issues.

The Chamber reiterated its support for the development of the city and committed to supporting initiatives geared towards the reduction of litter in the city, while stressing the importance of enforcement of laws and regulations by the governing authorities.