Regions 4 and 5 NDCs secures temporary landfills

Suitable land to establish temporary landfill sites has been urged for Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Regions Four and Five to identify.  This call was issued by Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, during a recent meeting with the local organs.

Dharamlall disclosed that solid waste management remains a priority for government and as such, systems must be put in place to address it. The minister explained that the establishment of the sites will fast-track government’s efforts to create an integrated sanitation management system to restore the country’s image. He stressed that it will also boost the country’s tourism potential. He encouraged the councils to quickly commence their search.

“We will put money from the ministry to help you build something in your community while we maintain our regional landfill sites…we will provide the resources so that you do not have to use the resources from your NDC to do it,” Dharamlall said.  The local government and regional development minister noted that presently citizens should be held accountable for the way they dispose their refuse.

Dharamlall revealed that earlier this year, President Irfaan Ali, along with members of the joint services and private sector led a massive ‘clean-up- campaign to fulfil his vision of crafting a ‘One Guyana,’ to build the spirit of community among citizens. The minister pointed out that a series of clean-up activities followed countrywide, between several ministries, local organs, private agencies and citizens.

Dharamlall disclosed tat thus far, Shariff’s Trucking Service has been awarded a contract valued over $70M to establish a temporary landfill site at Blairmont, West Bank Berbice. He said that it is set to be completed before year-end.

Additionally, the minister said that in Region Four, the commissioning of Cell Two of Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill Site brought government one step closer to its vision.  This, Dharamlall noted with the shelf life of five -and-a- half years, the cell is designed to accommodate some 930,000 tonnes of waste. Minister Dharamall pointed out that pressently it receives almost three-times the amount of solid waste as the recently closed Cell One.