‘Bins Every 40 Feet’ – Manickchand leads clean-up push at Stabroek Square

Nov 12, 2025 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development on Monday evening rolled out a major community engagement at the Stabroek Market Square, aimed at transforming the historic commercial hub into a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant public space.

The event, dubbed “Going Forward,” formed part of the government’s continued efforts to uplift Georgetown’s environment and strengthen ties with vendors who depend on the market for their daily livelihoods.

During the meeting, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand called on vendors to take pride in maintaining the market square, describing Stabroek as “not just a place of business, but a living symbol of Guyanese culture, history, and resilience.” As part of the clean-up drive, the Ministry has installed garbage bins every 40 feet around the market. The bins stretch from Brickdam and Avenue of the Republic to the Stabroek Stelling, extend along Lombard Street near the market, and continue up Water Street to America Street, covering the perimeter of the busy area.

The initiative also provided a platform for open dialogue between the Ministry and vendors, focusing on improving cleanliness, waste management, and shared pride in the Stabroek Market surroundings. Minister Manickchand emphasised that Stabroek Market is not only a commercial hub, but a living symbol of the nation’s culture, history, and resilience. The vendors who earn their livelihoods are a main part of the city, and their cooperation is central to sustaining a thriving and environmentally healthy market environment.

These bins are intended to provide consistent and convenient waste disposal points, reducing littering and ensuring that waste is contained rather than scattered throughout the market space. To maintain a clean environment, collection will take place twice daily, between 1:00PM and 3:00PM, and again between 4:00AM and 6:00AM. These targeted collection windows are designed to align with market hours and waste buildup patterns, ensuring that the surroundings remain clean and accessible for vendors, customers, and passersby.

Speaking to the vendors gathered, Minister Manickchand expressed confidence in their role as partners in preserving the space. She stated, “We’ve put bins all across this square. Every 40 ft. you have a bin. We were told that if we placed bins around the market square, they’d be stolen, and I said no because of my faith in the vendors; because these bins are making your work home clean. So, we put the bins and twice a day, from one to three in the afternoon and four to six in the morning, we’re cleaning these bins. A truck will come through and porters will pick up the bins.”

The Minister made it clear that the Ministry’s approach is one rooted in partnership rather than punishment at this stage.

She shared, “At this point, we will not bring enforcements. We will talk to our brothers and sisters, to the people using this square; we will talk to the passengers. We’re going to work with each other and work on each other to change out the bad habits we have come to know; the bad habits of littering.” This sentiment reflects a national call for civic responsibility supported by enabling infrastructure. The Minister highlighted that the government sees value in supporting vendors, not only by keeping their workplaces clean, but by fostering conditions that allow their businesses to grow and flourish.

She said, “Let us go first and show this country how we can cooperate once we have the facilities to keep Guyana clean. I promise you that in me you have a friend, and in the government you have a government, a President, and a Cabinet who want to see you thrive. We want to see your business do well. We want to see you make sales, build your house, buy assets. We want to see you do well, and we want to create an environment where your businesses can thrive. And this is a beginning.”

The engagement was also attended by the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration), Dr. Josh Kanhai, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Miguel Choo-Kang, the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Alfred Mentor, councillors, technical officers, and staff from the Ministry. The ministry encourages all vendors and market users to utilise the bins provided, observe proper waste disposal practices, and continue to work together as this effort unfolds. The Stabroek Market Square, like the city itself, reflects the habits and pride of its people. Maintaining it as a clean and vibrant space is a shared responsibility; one that benefits livelihoods, strengthens community wellness, and enhances the national image of Georgetown.

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• Bins, clean up, Going Forward, Manickchand, Stabroek Market

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