THE government through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) administration has signed a contract with Puran Brothers Disposal Incorporated for the collection and disposal of solid waste from households along the Essequibo Coast.

Minister of Regional Development and Local Government, Mr. Ganga Persaud speaking at the signing ceremony in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Boardroom at Anna Regina on Wednesday said the contractor who was approved after a lengthy process will begin to collect and dispose of household solid waste from January 3, 2013.
According to the minister contracts for the collection and disposal of solid waste were also approved and signed with different companies to operate in Regions 3, 5,6,7and 9 while by the end of the week Regions 1 and 10 will be completed. He said there is some difficulty with Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) in terms of the site.
Addressing officials of the Anna Regina Town Council, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Public Health Officers, Minister Persaud said the PPP/C government on whose behalf the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government is acting is pleased to reach this stage in the collection and disposal of solid waste in Region 2. He said by December 31 all the mechanisms will be in place for the disposal of solid waste.
The agreement between Puran Brothers Disposal Incorporated and the Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Sunil Singh was signed in the presence of the Minister and Region 2 Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud.
The minister said Puran Brothers will operate two disposal sites at the start of the project as more sites will be made available. He however warned that disposal sites must be operated according to environmental rules.
Minister Persaud said the company will operate the sites according to cells in a very orderly manner so as to get maximum use of the land space. He said Puran Brothers will have fifteen years lease on the sites providing the operations are in keeping with the agreements, failing which the lease will be terminated.
Residents will be required to pay $360.00 for the disposal of one barrel of solid waste. The barrels will be provided free by the company but residents will have to work out an arrangement with the company in terms of collection of their solid waste.
Former Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Farouk Khan welcomed the service to the Essequibo Coast. He said it was long overdue and thanked the minister and government for their vision to get Guyana cleaned up.
Ms Portia Jacobs was also thankful to government for the solid waste collection and disposal service. She said Region 2 never had such a service.
Also at the signing ceremony were Vice-Chairman Vishnu Samaroo and MP Mr Cornel Damon.