Over $80M expended on improving sanitation for first half 2016

Georgetown, GINA, August 15, 2016

The Interventions funded during the first half of 2016, in the sanitation sector saw $80.3M being spent on the Solid Waste Disposal Programme, which is aimed at promoting a healthier and more eco-friendly environment.

The Ministry of Finance’s Mid-year report 2016 states that at the end of June 2016, there were numerous achievements including the identification of sanitary landfill sites at Bartica, Mahdia, Lethem, Corriverton and Mabaruma. Nine tractors and trailers were also distributed to all municipalities across the country to assist with solid waste management.

Further, a contract in the sum of $221.4M was awarded for operational management of the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill, with the aim of ensuring adequate administration. Meanwhile, an agreement was also reached with the previous contractor, B.K. International, for a settlement totalling $1.5 B.

Additionally, under the Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme (WSSIIP), 1,000 families are soon expected to benefit from upgraded sanitary facilities within the areas of Cornelia Ida to DeKendren, West Coast Demerara,  Diamond to Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, No. 19 Village  Corentyne and Sheet Anchor to Good Bananen Land, East Canje, Berbice, along with central Georgetown.

Preparatory works will commence in the latter half of this year. Government will also advance the preparation of the National Solid Waste Management Strategy.

Also the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) embarked on a proactive yard-to-yard sewer maintenance project, to reduce the frequency of blockages within the sewer system. Through this project, every chamber and in-yard sewer system will be serviced, to reduce the risk of clogging.  The programmme which has already begun has been rolled out in Stevedore Postal Housing Scheme, Wortmanville, Werk-en-Rust and Albouystown to Queenstown.  This has resulted in significant improvement in the sewerage services in these areas.

On August 8, the Draft National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy was launched at the Umana Yana. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan during his opening remarks at the ceremony said that, “the changed nature of solid waste imposes a need to be sophisticated with our approaches in dealing with the challenges of effective and efficient solid waste management.” Therefore, the strategy is necessary, especially since the natural beauty of Guyana is overshadowed by poor management of solid waste though there are measures to transform waste and deal with litter offenders, Minister Bulkan explained.

The Minister added that it is necessary to preserve and protect the environment for the well-being of all. In its effort to reduce the negative impact from poor solid waste management, the government has referred to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy.

“In order to reduce the carbon footprint of activities pursued across the nation the Government has underscored the importance of a green economic policy which will see new initiatives in this management.” Minister Bulkan said.

Additionally, having an integrated approach to waste management, the Ministry of Communities has established a sanitation management unit with qualified personnel for information regarding waste management initiatives across the country.