Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, convened a high-level meeting with Regional Executive Officers (REOs), Regional Education Officers (REDOs), Regional Health Officers (RHOs), Regional Engineers, Internal Auditors, and Auditors from the State Audit Department.
The engagement, held on September 29, 2025, focused on strengthening Guyana’s National Solid Waste Management and Beautification Mandate through a structured clean-up exercise targeting public institutions nationwide.
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has therefore outlined a plan that requires all health centres, schools, and regional administrative buildings to undertake a comprehensive disposal of unwanted and obsolete items.
The clean-up exercise is being conducted in phases, with each sector allotted a two-week period to complete the activity. The schedule is as follows:
• Health Centres: September 29 – October 10, 2025
• Schools: October 13 – 24, 2025
• Regional Administrative Buildings: October 27 – November 7, 2025
The disposal exercise is being conducted in phases to accommodate the audit process and because of the limited number of auditors available. This ensures full accountability and transparency in the process, while also enabling proper monitoring of progress in each region.
To reinforce oversight and to demonstrate the importance of the exercise, today Minister Manickchand conducted a site visit to the Number 47 Health Centre in Region Six. At the facility, she observed firsthand the removal of waste items in keeping with the outlined schedule. She observed the disposal of old beds, refrigerators, furniture, scales, unserviceable electronics, and other obsolete items. Clearance has already begun to create much-needed space, which can now be repurposed to improve service delivery to residents.
During the visit, staff at the health centre welcomed the initiative and expressed their agreement that the space being made available would be of far greater benefit to the community than the accumulated waste items and to their comfort and mental health. Their response highlighted the practical value of the exercise, not only in improving aesthetics but also in ensuring that resources and facilities are being maximized to serve citizens more effectively.
The Ministry emphasizes that this clean-up effort is not limited to the removal of physical clutter, but also reflects the wider commitment of the Government of Guyana to build systems that are efficient, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of citizens. Public institutions must operate in environments that are safe, orderly, and conducive to the delivery of quality services, and this initiative directly supports that goal.
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development commends the efforts of regional officers, health and education staff, and all other personnel involved in this exercise. Their support is critical to the success of this initiative, which remains a cornerstone of the Government’s development agenda (Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development press release)
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