‘B’ Division clean-up campaign

Aug 18, 2008 News

VRYMAN’S ERVEN, NEW AMSTERDAM – In preparation for CARIFESTA X, Division ‘B’ of the Guyana Police Force staged a clean-up campaign yesterday at the Vryman’s Erven Secondary School in New Amsterdam.
It was the brainchild of Assistant Superintendent Owen Trotz, who is the Officer-In-Charge of Traffic in Division ‘B’.

He said the location was selected based on his observation.
“Every time I look across from my verandah to the school’s compound, it grieved my heart to see it in that state. When I look across in the school’s yard, I could not see in the compound, the bush was so high. The children had no place to play…the trees were so huge.”

According to him, Police Commissioner Henry Greene and Assistant Commissioner Clinton Conway have, over the years, been calling on the police in B Division to assist in community development.

He arrested matters and contacted officials of the New Amsterdam Prisons, and as a result, some manpower was provided.

The Region Six Administration, through Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha, provided some machinery, and other stakeholders assisted in other forms.

Two of the persons who slashed the grass are from Berbice, while the other two are from Tuschen and Number Two Canal in West Demerara.

Mr. Trotz promised to make regular calls on the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council as well as the New Amsterdam Prison Service to maintain the compound of the institution.

He noted that other persons should get involved in such activities, since these could also result in youth development.

The next site he has his eyes on is the compound of the National Psychiatric Hospital at Fort Canje. This location is also affected by an overgrowth of bush.

Assistant Commissioner Clinton Conway, who heads Division ‘B’ of the Guyana Police Force, said the role of the Force is not only to serve and protect, but there is a civic duty to fulfill as well. “As we take the initiative to free the area of over-grown shrubs and other bushes, we hope that other stakeholders will follow by working on improving the aesthetics of their surroundings, moreso since CARIFESTA X is in the air.”

Head Teacher of the institution, Estellé Correia, said the school is grateful for the assistance. She said that it usually is the expense of the school to clear the bushes and grass.

According to her, the Region Six Administration is also executing minor repairs on the walls, flooring and windows of the institution.