New landfill sites to be built
GINA, GUYANA, Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Government has allocated $338M for the design and construction of new sanitary landfill sites in Bartica and Linden, in order to minimise the public health hazards that have arisen from improper waste disposal.
This was stated by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan during the presentation 2017 National Budget to the National Assembly on Monday.
A section of the Byderabo dumpsite in Region Seven. This dumpsite was recently ungraded with funding provided by Central Government
The minister also said that that landfill sites at Belle Vue, Lusignan, Lethem, and Mabaruma will be upgraded, while a new temporary holding area at the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill will be created.
Further, the Minister said, to maintain the aesthetics of communities, Government has allocated $150M for the Community Organised for Restoring the Environment (CORE) programme. The sum, the Minister said, will provide for the employment of 20 small community groups throughout the country to undertake upgrading, refurbishment, rehabilitation, and beautification of the immediate and contiguous areas of public work sites.
In addition, he said, the Government will roll out a nationwide public relations campaign, which will seek to effect behavioural change in the populace. Having already focused on the schools, Minister Jordan said that the wider public will be targeted for education in proper solid waste disposal practices, including the separation of organic from inorganic litter and waste reduction principles.
Jordan also said that in an effort to preserve and protect the environment for “the well- being of all,” the Government will launch a National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy, in 2017, which will focus on “maintaining a cleaner environment and providing better public health protection.”
By: Macalia Santos