THE implementation of a new solid waste management project by the Local Government Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will see the issue of illegal vending being dealt with along with the rehabilitation of six municipal markets across the country.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker, signed the one-year Guyana Solid Waste Management Improvement Project with United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Khadija Musa last Tuesday.
The signing took place in the Ministry’s boardroom, Fort Street, Kingston. The US$1,568,260 project is being funded by the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Trust Fund.
The project will see the procurement of two compactor trucks and two mini excavators, to be used at Haags Bosch Landfill Site on the East Bank of Demerara and garbage collection is expected to be enhanced countrywide, but particularly in the city.
According to Whittaker, though government has been providing much support, Guyana has not been able to rise above the challenge of solid waste management.
“It is important to note that the escalation of the problem of solid waste rose about the same time as people started to do vending on the roadsides. The two go hand in hand. So this project is welcomed,” he remarked.
Whittaker said he is happy that IBSA saw merit in the ministry’s proposal and subsequently approved it.
Musa offered that the project will provide very important equipment, logistical and otherwise, to assist within the overall plan of the government in reforming collection and waste management.
“We hope it will contribute not only to the health of people around Georgetown but that it will improve the landfill sites. One of the areas it will focus on is the market area which is really important,” she said.
Others who attended the ceremony were Brazil Ambassador Luiz Gilberto Seixas De Andrade; Acting Ambassador to Guyana, India Tirath Singh; Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Brazil Sabina Popoff; along with other UNDP and ministry officials.
By Telesha Ramnarine