THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will soon be advertising for a number of market enhancement projects funded under the India, Brazil, South Africa Cooperation (IBSA) programme, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker said at a press conference on Friday.Included is the $3.3M rehabilitation to the Anna Regina market, Region 2, and a tender for $11.6M towards the construction a market shed to support the Corriverton market, Region 6, and provide for the growing number of market vendors, Minister Whittaker said.
Also to be tendered are the fencing, construction of a reservoir and a shed for the fish vending section at the Rose Hall market to the tune of $6M and for  New Amsterdam, a tender for approximately $6.6M, to address concerns such as fencing.
Major repair work and the construction of a market shed to the value of $18.6M for the Rosignol market, Region 5 and the construction of a  chain link fence, valued $1.7M to support the infrastructural improvement that vendors seek to support using the Diamond market tarmac are among works being processed, under the project  for advertisement.

LINDEN AND LETHEM MARKETS
The project will also see $9.3M being spent on the Linden market, Region 10 and $1.3 at the Lethem market, Region Nine, Minister Whittaker said.
Other aspects of the programme include the construction of sanitary blocks at Haslington, Beterverwagting, Grove-Diamond and possibly a tarmac for vendors at Annandale, Minister Whittaker said.
Government, in looking to address the issue of solid waste management countrywide has been able to provide additional support outside of the national coffers as it works towards improving the environment across the country. It has been successful in sourcing financing from the IBSA.
The support seeks to address solid waste management in Guyana by implementing three strategies – the procurement of appropriate waste management machinery and equipment for collection, transportation and disposal of waste to the landfill.

PUBLIC AWARENESS
It also seeks to address the expansion and rehabilitation of markets and market tarmacs to control illegal vending, which is a significant contributor to solid waste. The third aspect has to do with raising public awareness.
Meanwhile, with regards to the Corriverton market which was severely damaged by winds over the weekend, the Ministry is working in collaboration with the municipality and the Region 6 Regional Democratic Council is working to repair the roof, Minister Whittaker noted.
Though temporary measures have been put in place, a more permanent solution is to be brought to fore in a few days, he said.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Collin Croal also reported that the tender for the extension of the Mabaruma market tarmac in Region 1 is set to be re-advertised, because all of the tenders submitted were over the budget and the engineer’s estimate for the works.
The project is set to be re-advertised as soon as this week, even as the renovation to the market itself, which started in 2012, is nearing completion. The extension to the market tarmac would have commenced in 2013, but the contract was terminated in December and re-advertised earlier this year. (GINA)