DEMTOCO, ECHO partner to beautify Georgetown

Jun 04, 2012 News

Demerara Tobacco (DEMTOCO) last Saturday partnered with the Environment Community Health Organization (ECHO) in a tree planting exercise to beautify a section of the capital city.
The exercise, which saw the entities plant trees along the Thomas Street Avenue was done in anticipation of World Environmental Day which will be on Tuesday June 6, and as a part of a wider programme.

Some of the participants of the tree planting exercise.

According to Royston King, Executive Director of ECHO, the initiative emerged out of a dialogue between the two bodies (DEMTOCO and ECHO) on certain environmental needs of the local communities, during which it was agreed that good environmental stewardship is vital to community development.
King added that ECHO is steadfast in restoring one community at a time, and that since it is a really big task, it would need the support of citizens and other corporations like DEMTOCO.
The first phase of a three pronged programme includes planting trees and shrubs. The second will allow for the installation of benches, receptacles and billboards with environmentally motivational messages.
The last but not least important of the phases, is upgrading the walkway and installation of special lights.
In addition, DEMTOCO has also aided ECHO by way of providing training for volunteers who are working in local communities and with young people not only in Georgetown but throughout the country.
Malissa Sylvester, Executive Director of DEMTOCO, emphasized that Guyana is a special country in the Caribbean with a unique landscape that just needs to be taken care of.
With ECHO, Sylvester said DEMTOCO will be moving towards doing greater things for Guyana.
Also attending the event was Chief Executive Officer of The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Michael Khan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Joyslyn McKenzie, Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, and residents of the area.
In concluding the programme, many advised that little things such as using a dust bin can go a long way in protecting the environment.