MINISTER within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill has expressed confidence with government’s implementation and construction of the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill site at Eccles, noting that it is the right step to correcting citizens’ attitude towards proper solid waste management and disposal. Speaking with stakeholders of the solid waste management industry and Brian Tiwari (BK) International at a forum in the Administrative Building of the site, Minister Edghill said that  Government “believes and subscribes to the ideal of having a properly run sanitary landfill facility.”
He said government intends to adapt the country’s waste disposal practice from dumpsite to sanitary landfill facility. This had led to its engagement with the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) for financing of the Haags Bosch site.
While the minister acknowledged that there may have been some flaws with the construction of the landfill facility, he said  government has still made some significant steps with regards to the management and disposal of solid waste.
“We are willing to admit that we have not arrived at a level which we must all feel comfortable with; and it is with that in mind that we continue to engage with the contractor and operator of this facility along with the specialist from the IDB …to ensure that we take stock of what has been happening and how we should take corrective measures to improve what we are doing,” Minister Edghill said, responding to statements by BK’s Representative, Lloyd Stanton about the company’s present construction of the landfill.
Stanton, reading a prepared statement from BK Int’l complained of ongoing design changes and interference from government resulting in the company’s continuous delay in construction at the site. The statement also charged inadequate original design for the landfill posing serious challenges to construction.
Edghill responded that the design changes and constant engagement with BK is to ensure the construction of a properly run facility.
He reminded the forum that since this is the government’s first such project, allowances must be made to facilitate changes to the design that would have been unforeseen as a result of lack of knowledge.
“Yes, there have been a number of changes that have been made…with good reasons, coming out of discussions, basic agreements,” the minister said. He stressed that this is “to ensure that we get the best possible implementation…and value for money.”
The issue of solid waste management is not straightforward dumping of garbage: “ It is a science that has to be done based upon environmentally sound principles. We have to deal with very intricate issues …and it is a learning experience for Guyana and we see our partners as development partners,” he stressed.
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud also spoke on the issue. He is of the view that wherever one is stepping into unchartered waters, from time to time change towards original designs would be a norm.
Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker echoed the sentiments of Minister Edghill, adding that since 2006, government and contractors have been able to work together to surmount a lot of these challenges. He promised that in the long- run the issue of solid waste collection and disposal would change in Guyana.
BK raised concerns about government’s withholding payment based on the claims that the company has not been fulfilling the minimum compaction requirement.
Edghill explained that since financing for the landfill project comes from an IDB loan, disbursement is based upon the contractor reaching certain satisfactory benchmarks. Government is now satisfied that the hurdles have been crossed and disbursement to BK would now be moving more smoothly.
The aim of the forum was to give the solid waste management stakeholders an opportunity with the ministers to discuss some of the issues regarding the construction of the dumpsite, with the aim of finding workable solutions towards the successful completion of the project.