Closed sandpit to be converted into green space – Bartica Mayor
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, July 7, 2018
Plans are on stream to transform the sandpit area at Five Miles, Bartica into a green space. The sandpit is operated by the Town Council and was given a cease order by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, in May, due to safety infractions.
Bartica’s Mayor, Gifford Marshall told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the sandpit will be cleared in another three months and relocated to another site. The vacant space will subsequently be used as a recreational area.
“The housing area, between One to Five Miles, has no recreational facilities plus going east we have a whitewater and a normal creek. So, we will develop the area into a green space which will entail a playfield and a place for relaxation,” Marshall explained.
This venture will be a partnership between the council and the business community of Bartica and is expected to be completed before year-end.
The mayor said, despite the economic challenges encountered with the closure of the sandpit, this new venture will take the town one step closer in attaining its green agenda.
“It is an economic blow but we will use that to our advantage to ensure that good things come out from this which will be in keeping with our green agenda,” Marshall stated.
Following the sandpit’s closure, to date, the council has managed to correct the major infractions which include benching of the walls to prevent trucks from driving into them.
The mayor pointed out that following these works, the council was informed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commissions (GGMC) that an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit and a Lands and Surveys no-objection order are necessary before the sandpit returns to operation.
Marshall assured that the municipality endorses safety and, as such, is working to guarantee that safe practices are carried out not only at the sandpit but generally in the township of Bartica. The mayor also committed to having personnel on site at the sandpit; to ensure that the site operates within the ambit of the safety procedures.
By: Ranetta LaFleur.
Images: Leon Leung.