Health crisis looms in Bartica –expired dumpsite still functions
The expired dumpsite with garbage overflowing on one of the streets in the community
The expired dumpsite with garbage overflowing on one of the streets in the community

VICE-Chairman of the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in Region 7, Steven Belle is of the view that if the dumping of garbage continues at the community’s present landfill site, a health crisis could result.

Belle, who explained that the site has expired and should have been closed a long time ago, told the Guyana Chronicle that the local authorities are forced to continue dumping at the site while they await permission to open a new landfill site. This site, he added, is ready to go into operation as all the preparatory works have been completed.

Several garbage receptacles located in front of a nightclub on First Avenue, Bartica (Photos by Leroy Smith)
Several garbage receptacles located in front of a nightclub on First Avenue, Bartica (Photos by Leroy Smith)
NDC Vice-Chairman and businessman, Steven Belle
NDC Vice-Chairman and businessman, Steven Belle

According to him, what obtains at the present expired site is merely the shifting around of garbage at the facility to accommodate the constant dumping of fresh garbage, which is collected from around the community.
Mr. Belle told the Guyana Chronicle that when the present NDC took office in 2013, they had several issues to tend to which included the garbage pile-up around the village, clearing the area for the present landfill site and the efforts to have a new dumpsite operable.
Today, while the garbage pile-up around the village and the cleaning up of the landfill site has been effectively addressed according to Belle, the issue of getting the new landfill site operable is still pending.
It was noted that the body responsible for issuing the permit had initially told the NDC that the permit would have been issued within three months, but like the old dumpsite, that three-month period has expired a while now.
The vice-chairman told this publication that the new site has been identified and developed to open and operate as the new landfill site; the environmental permit is the only thing keeping it inoperable. Belle said the new site will be operated on lease land that both the Government of Guyana and the regional body assisted in developing.
Bell further explained that once the permit is issued for commencement of the works, then it will take the burden off of the regional body of ensuring garbage collection and disposal. He added that they have also been advised that once operational, the new facility should be able to service the community for approximately 10 years before a new site will again be required.
The contract to operate the facility was first awarded to Cevon’s Waste Management of Georgetown, but after a year that company gave up the contract which brought development works at the facility to a standstill for a period until the second contractor, General Sanitation which is headed by Mr. Wayne Nurse took up the contract.
This publication was told by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council executive that families are living in the area where the present dumpsite is located and because it was never meant to be operated beyond the stipulated period, flies have proliferated. Additionally, once leeching begins to occur, then it could cause an even bigger issue for the region as water could be polluted, thereby triggering the crisis he earlier alluded to.

By Leroy Smith

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.