Ministerial team visits Strathavon, Cane Grove
– on rice-mill dust nuisance issue
A MINISTERIAL team comprising Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, yesterday met with residents of Strathavon, at the West Strathavon Cricket Ground, and those of Cane Grove, Mahaica at the Cane Grove Neighbhourhood Democratic Council office. The team was delegated by President Donald Ramotar following complaints to him by the residents of dust pollution experienced daily due to the operations of a rice mill located in Cane Grove and owned by one Faizul Hack.
The Cane Grove residents were concerned about the emissions from the mill while the Strathavon residents focused on the disposal of paddy husks by the miller.
They accused him of illegally disposing of, and burning paddy waste on nearby land in close proximity to their homes.
President Ramotar delegated the ministers to meet with residents to find amicable solutions in accordance with the views of all the parties involved.
The meetings also allowed the team to address other salient concerns affecting the residents, according to a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA).
Residents acknowledged the importance and need for the milling operation, and the fact that it provides for the livelihood of a number of residents of both villages and also serves farmers of both communities who utilize the facility to mill their paddy.
The residents, however, maintained their concerns that the emissions pose a serious health risk for themselves and families many of whom are babies.
Cane Grove residents suggested that more effective measures be put in place at the mill to control the emission levels while the Strathavon residents pointed out that the miller has alternative land available at his disposal, further aback of Strathavon that can be used for disposal and burning of the paddy husks. They posited that because the access dam to the said location is not accessible during the rainy season, this may be one reason why the miller is not currently making use of that alternative site. It was suggested that the dam be made accessible year-long to allow the miller to do just this.
Following the meeting with the residents, the Ministerial team also met privately with mill owner Faizul Hack at the Cane Grove NDC during which Hack was allowed to answer some of the charges levied against him.
Hack explained that emissions from the mill were reduced to a minimum following improvements made in September. Over $30M was spent to enclose the two storage bins, the elevators and catwalk at the top of the mill which contribute to the dust emission. Hack explained that the current emissions stem from a recent fire in the silo of the mill that burst open the roof of the facility.
Chairman of the Cane Grove NDC, Bhagwandin Ramsarran, said residents living closest to the mill are those who are mostly complaining about the emissions following the improvement made in September.
Given the improvements made, it was suggested that an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test be facilitated to ensure that the emission levels are in accordance with international standards.
If this is found to be so, the ministers suggested that residents living in close proximity to the mill, some 20feet away, may have to, for their own safety be relocated as the Cane Grove regularization process gets underway.
According to GINA, Hack accepted full responsibility for dumping and burning paddy husk on the land that lies in close proximity to the Strathavon residents, but claimed that he owns the property.
He, however said that for the past eight months he did not use the land for disposal, but only did so following the fire to dispose, but not to burn, paddy damaged then.  The miller promised that he would no longer use the land for dumping and burning, but would instead invest in creating a road that will allow year-long access to the alternative location in the backlands of Strathavon.
The residents raised additional concerns affecting the communities including bad road conditions and careless disposal of residential garbage that causes clogged drains and trenches.
They were advised that the solution to these issues will be dealt with by the NDC with assistance from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
On concerns about electricity at West Strathavon scheme, residents were advised that personnel from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) have already begun the preliminary work in that area.
GINA said the Ministerial team will make a follow-up visit to present a progress report to the residents in two weeks.