THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, yesterday, signed an agreement with the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Trust Fund for the implementation of a Solid Waste Management Project.

Present at the signing in the ministry’s compound were Indian High Commissioner V. Majilingam, Brazilian High Commissioner Lineu De Paula, Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker and other officials of the ministry and

members of the public.
Before the official signing, Permanent Secretary Collin Croal in brief remarks recapped what the ministry had done so far to improve solid waste management in Guyana.

He also disclosed the current clean-up campaign project that began on April 1 this year has so far received US$1,930,000 in funding and an additional amount of US$475,000 from the Government of Guyana.
Croal stated that the project has three objectives which include procuring waste management machinery and equipment, expanding market tarmacs to curtail illegal vending and raising public awareness on solid waste management.
He stated that so far the ministry has acquired US$12, 000 worth of bins, two compactor garbage trucks worth US$339,000 and two mini-excavators worth G$22.4M.
He added that so far there have been repairs to the Anna Regina Market, Rosignol Market, Linden Market, Diamond Market and Lethem Market.
Meanwhile, Minister Whittaker in his address noted that the waste management agreement is another step forward in terms of dealing with the solid waste management problem that is prominent in Guyana.
He also stated that solid waste management is a major factor in many other countries other than Guyana and it is highly impossible to fully stop it.
But he noted the contract will now allow the ministry to reduce the flow of solid waste. Some of the measures which will be taken during this project include expanding the markets and providing storage for garbage awaiting proper disposal.

(By Navendra Seoraj)