RESIDENTS of Bartica, on the Essequibo River, are complaining bitterly about the increasing garbage situation since the present site, in Second Avenue, has caused a very unhealthy situation in the surrounding environment. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has signed a contract, in the Office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), for Cevon’s Waste Management to dispose of the waste in Bartica.
Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Mr. Ovid Benjamin, said the work should have commenced on February 1 at a new landfill, opposite the existing location, but the contractor cited difficulties in accessing the area.
He said an alternative access has since been created, from the direction of the One Mile Potaro Road and the contractor was given time to respond.  But recommendations will be made with regard to all the issues which have caused the delay in commencement of the operation.
Meantime, residents and business entities still put their waste at the roadside, about 200 metres from where they are supposed to, creating health hazards.
A visiting Guyana Chronicle reporter, earlier this week, saw a small ‘Bobcat’ excavator clearing an entrance to the designated location.
Animals were scratching and eating from the waste and a woman who was passing remarked that there are no legal consequences for those responsible for the undisciplined disposal, as no fines or jail sentences can be imposed on defaulters.
Meanwhile, Special Project Officer at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Bhram Singh, acknowledged that the contractor raised some issues with the award to Cevon’s and said a decision on the way forward, would be made within a week.