Government engaging private contractors to deal with countrywide garbage problem –two foreign companies to build recycling plants
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Ganga Persaud

GOVERNMENT has decided to engage private companies to assist in dealing with the issue of garbage collection and disposal in the city. Local Government Minister, Ganga Persaud indicated Government’s willingness to grant concessions to interested stakeholders as they seek to deal with the growing phenomenon during a recent press conference.
As government considers ways of dealing with solid waste management countrywide, the issue of garbage piling up continues to plague Georgetowners in face of City Hall’s persistent failure to manage this problem.
In this regard, private garbage collectors are being engaged by Government to tackle this problem. They are being promised certain concessions.
“We have had successful meetings twice. We met with the private interest groups, and we were able to receive from the EPA guidelines with regards to the management of landfill sites. We have shared those with the private individuals and companies,” the minster pointed out.
He highlighted that the Local Government Ministry has already identified areas to establish landfill sites in each of the regions expect in Region 4, because it already has a landfill site, and private individuals will be going out into those areas to visit those sites.
“Come next week, we will commence individual negotiations with these companies,” he stated.
The Ministry of Local Government said it is fast tracking engagements with the private individuals to address garbage collection which is being neglected by the Mayor and City Council.
“We will engage in negotiations and signing of agreements as a result of those negotiations, which will clearly determine the period of tenure; that is, how long the private collectors will have on that site, and what mechanisms the local government entity will use to ensure that the growing issue of garbage is addressed.”
Minister Persaud said that persons found guilty of indiscriminate disposal of garbage will be penalized. He noted that the government will also be supporting its private partners in this regard, if necessary.
Two overseas companies have already indicated their interest in creating a recycling plant here, and one of those companies has already commenced infrastructural works on one of those plants.
One company is expected to recycle tyres, Styrofoam and plastic, while the other is expected to deal with plastic and cardboard.
Minister Persaud said he is disappointed with the current garbage situation in the city, and has assured the citizenry of government’s commitment to dealing with this problem.
He explained that nine compactor trucks and three pickups were given to the City Council to help with the solid waste problem, but only one of the trucks is working.

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