THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commissioned a second office since its establishment in 1996 with an all-Berbician staff on Thursday.

The $32M state-of-the-art building was commissioned by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at Whim, East Berbice, Corentyne at a simple but significant ceremony.

Harmon said the commissioning is in keeping with government’s policy and promise of taking quality services to the people. A few months ago he commissioned a Lands and Survey office at New Amsterdam. Next month, a passport office will also be commissioned in Region Six.

“Government services are being deployed in a way that it gets closer and closer to where people live and work, so travelling from Whim to Sophia to get a matter dealt with by the EPA will be become a thing of the past. So will be with the way in which government provides quality services to the all the people of Guyana, irrespective of where they live whether on the coast or in the hinterland; so that’s an important matter in which we look at the way development is happening in the country,” he said.

He said the total cost of the two new offices will be far less than what was spent to build the controversial NIS office at Skeldon several years ago, under the previous administration.

The minister used the opportunity to call on all stakeholders to work with the EPA to ensure a healthier country.

“EPA is not just about issuing licences. There is a more proactive aspect of the work the agency has to do and that is really about making people understand the role which it [EPA] has to play in contributing to the healthy environment of the country, and, in this regard, it is important that town council, mayoralties, NDCs that we all understand that a healthy environment is everyone’s business and that, when we have a healthy environment, we have healthier people, healthier communities and a healthier Guyana,” Harmon said.

GOOD WORK

He expressed satisfaction with the work of the EPA in preparing Guyana to handle oil spills, and, on that note, lauded the work of the agency’s managing director, Dr. Vincent Adams.

“I am satisfied with plans being put in place in the event of an oil spill since there is collaboration with other countries, local and international agencies.  I’ve seen first-hand some training and drills and am happy with the proactive works of the Dr. Adams and the EPA,” Harmon said.

Dr. Adams said the agency has to disperse across the entire length and breadth of Guyana, pointing out that another office will be commissioned in Linden next month.

“This office with an all-Berbician staff will service the entire Berbice, both Regions Five and Six and we are aggressively pushing towards opening an office in Region 10 next month because we know of the inconvenience and economic hardships customers have to endure to travel to Sophia whenever they need to get a matter addressed,” he said.

Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce President, Mohamed Raffik, who also spoke at the event, commended the work of the EPA in ensuring Guyana is a safe and environmentally-healthy country.

The EPA was established by the Environmental Protection Act in 1996. It has the responsibility to take the necessary measures to manage, conserve, protect and improve the local environment. This entails that the agency takes actions to prevent and control pollution; assess the impact of economic development on the environment; and ensure the sustainable use of Guyana’s natural resources.

The EPA’s work is organised into programme areas, each with a specific focus, including: air quality and noise; freshwater; waste; biological resources, land resources, research and development, ecological and human health risk, and education, communication and awareness.