UNDER the Government of Guyana’s Clean-Up My Country Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) in 2014, the Bartica Interim Management Committee (IMC) has received equipment for the sustenance of the cleanup programme within Bartica and its environs.Mr. Collin Croal, Permanent Secretary in the MLGRD, last Friday, on behalf of MLGRD Minister, Norman Whittaker, handed over to the Bartica IMC one mini-excavator, one tractor and trailer, and 25 solid waste receptacles. Mr. Croal, in his address, said, “The mini-excavator will be in the custody of the RDC, and it is intended to be used in the confines and space of the NDC and the neighbouring communities”.

Mr. Croal also informed the representatives that “the tractor and trailer will be assigned to the Bartica NDC” and “it is expected to aid in infrastructure support for the NDC”; while “the solid waste receptacles must be utilised to help to address the issue of littering in the community”.

Mr. Croal acknowledged the challenge facing the community in relation to disposing of solid waste after collection, and assured the representatives that, under the Solid Waste Bill, which is likely to be passed in the next sitting of Parliament; measures would be put in place to address the challenges in Bartica.

The mini-excavator was procured at a cost of G$8.9M, while the tractor was procured at a cost of G$4.4M, and the trailer at a cost of G$1.2M. Mr. Croal emphasised that the equipment handed over should be managed by a Management Committee comprising representatives of the RDC, NDC and MLRGD, and that a workplan should be developed to ensure that the people of Bartica and its environs are the beneficiaries of the equipment.

Mr. Croal informed representatives that a tripartite meeting between MLGRD, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Regional Solid Waste Contractor for Bartica will soon be held to discuss the progress in formulating the environmental plan to be submitted to EPA to gain approval of the operation of the new landfill site.

Under the Regional aspect of the Clean-Up My Country Programme, Bartica, in December 2014, benefited from a massive community programme which gave residents the opportunity to get rid of bulk waste stored on their premises, as well as a massive clean-up of the Water Front and removal of road side/illegal garbage piles.

Chairman of the IMC, Mr. Ovid Benjamin, welcomed the assets and expressed his gratitude to the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. He also assured the Permanent Secretary that the equipment would be used for their intended purpose.

Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Ramotar also thanked the Government for the mini-excavator, and said the people of Bartica welcome the gesture. He assured the Permanent Secretary that a plan will be designed and implemented to ensure the efficient usage of the asset.

Pic saved as Handover, captioned as: Collin Croal, Permanent Secretary, MLGRD, hands over one mini-excavator, one tractor and trailer, and 25 solid waste receptacles to the Bartica Interim Management Committee