Local Gov’t Ministry, Region Two teaming up to address solid waste management

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Hon. Nigel Dharamlall, first from left, Regional Vice-Chairman, Mr. Humace Oudit (left) and other officials during the outreach

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development intends to invest more resources for sustainable solid waste management in Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) to alleviate flooding.

Minister, Hon. Nigel Dharamlall, made this disclosure following a recent outreach to the Region. The Minister said residents complained that they suffer frequent flooding because of improper solid waste disposal.

“Solid waste management is one of the critical areas of concern highlighted during my visit and so the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development directly and centrally, will put more resources to address this, as the Government intends to enhance the lives of every citizen,” he said.

To this end, he said the Ministry would partner with the Region Two Regional Administration to identify sites which will be suitable for the disposal of solid waste. The Ministry’s Sanitation Management Unit recently visited the Region to make an assessment in this regard.

Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Humace Oudit told DPI that the establishment of a disposal site would be welcomed. He explained that the Region’s flooding woes are due mainly to the negligent actions of vendors in Charity, who practice illegal dumping in drains and other areas.

“This tarmac was built specifically to bring all of the vendors to vend. Instead, they continue to ply their trade along roadside and river dam which cause hindrance to traffic. The roadside vendors have caused the internal drainage of Charity to be blocked up due to the garbage, Mr. Oudit said.

A section of the structure created for the Charity Market vendors

The Vice Chairman said once the vendors have been successfully relocated, “we will put measurements in place to properly dispose of garbage as well dredging or desilting the internal drainage to ensure residents are no longer in fear of the heavy rainfalls or rainy season.” The administration also intends to launch a public awareness campaign to educate residents about proper waste disposal.