MINISTER Dawn Hastings-Williams recently held consultations with officials from the Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), Golden Grove/Haslington Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and market vendors at Golden Grove to ascertain needed improvements in the operations of the market and solid waste management.Minister Hastings, who has portfolio responsibility within the Ministry of Communities for Regional Development, noted during a recent visit to the communities at reference that there is a crying need for improvements in the operations of the market, as well as the solid waste management, and has indicated that “Help its on its way.”
The developmental works will be funded under a Guyana/ India/Brazil/South Africa (IBSA) South-South Cooperation US$1M Guyana Solid Waste Management Improvement Programme. The role of the UNDP is to assist the Ministry with the implementation of the project.
“The consultations, which began at the NDC boardroom, culminated following a tour of the market,” Minister Hastings said, adding: “The tour allowed officials of the Ministry and UNDP a first-hand look at the needs of vendors.”
The two main challenges raised by vendors that could be corrected through this project, she said, are the absence of a sanitary block and proper drainage.
The usage of the Golden Grove/ Haslington NDC market tarmac was also discussed at the meeting. “While some vendors are ready to occupy the structure, others are reluctant to move from the existing market,” the Minister said.
Minister Hastings has pledged the Ministry’s support for those projects vendors deem important. She stressed that markets with proper solid waste management systems are necessary for the functioning of communities and healthy living on the whole.