23 Plants for 23 years of EPA’s presence in Guyana

─ staff at EPA participated in activities to embrace the agency’s 23rd Anniversary and World Environmental Day

By Alleya Hamilton

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, June 6, 2019

Staff at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) participated in activities, on Wednesday, to celebrate the agency turning twenty-three years in Guyana and the observance of annual World Environmental Day.

In keeping with these celebrations, some staff enhanced beauty of their immediate environment by planting palm trees and removing unwanted grass from the immediate environs of the vicinity, while others distributed 23 fruit plants to the residents of North Sophia to mark the 23rd anniversary and to embrace the theme for Environmental Day 2019, ‘Beat Air Pollution’.

EPA staff preparing to participate in activities for their 23rd anniversary and World Environmental Day.

Campbelville Post Office receives a bin from EPA.

Prashad Nagar Police outpost receives bin from EPA.

EPA staffers involved in cleaning to enhance their immediate environment.

Resident posing with the plant she received from EPA.

Executive Director of EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams participating in the beautification of the environment.

Senior Environmental Officer, Candacie Thompson explained that the reason for giving plants to the residents in the community is to sensitise them on the role plants play in our society, that is they help humans to breathe fresh air in the environment. “This is a part of us working assiduously to ensure the sustainable management in Guyana’s environment.”

Additionally, public places such as local police outposts, post offices and schools in Georgetown received branded bins which were painted by the staff at the agency.

Twenty-three years ago, the EPA was established after the Environmental Protection Act 1996 was passed in the National Assembly.  The agency has since made significant contributions to ensuring that lands in Guyana are properly maintained and utilised by citizens in the country. Soon the agency will be expected to implement new ways of protecting the environment as the country prepares to welcome the oil and gas sector.

Dr. Vincent Adams, the appointed Executive Director of EPA shared concluding thoughts. “Turning 23 years old is a major milestone for us, and it’s a nice coincidence to observe World Environmental Day the same day. We have come a long way and we are ready to launch what is going to be a major tackle for us by having the oil and gas soon in Guyana. However, we are in a fortunate position because we are able to learn from other countries’ approach to issues resulting from the sector.”

Images by: Marceano Narine