AS it works to address several issues raised by Region Two residents, representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday met with regional officials and councillors.

The meeting is part of a wider plan to raise awareness and inform the public about environmental issues and promote public participation.

The team from the EPA included Deputy Executive Director, Sharifah Razack; Head of Complaints and Emergency Response, Surjpaul Singh; Head of Industry and Manufacturing, Odessa Duncan; Acting Head of Agriculture, Junior Toney; Legal Officer Shareefah Parks and Senior Environmental Officer, Communications, Jomo Tobin. The team is currently on an outreach during which several complaints are expected to be addressed.

Duncan in her address said that in 2022, Essequibians had asked that the services offered at the EPA head office in Georgetown be extended to Region Two.

She said that she was happy to announce that an office has been established in the compound of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

According to Duncan, the EPA has a temporary location where officers meet the public during the third week of every month. The services offered include the application for environmental authorisation and processing of noise permits. Complaints were also received and EPA officers used the opportunity to raise awareness about the functions of the agency and various environmental issues.

Duncan said during 2022, the major issues raised by residents included the need for an office to be established in the region, environmentally sound management of waste material, managing noise nuisance, littering in public and private places and air (dust) pollution from rice mills and coconut husk in the Pomeroon River.

She added that the EPA acted on all six issues and are working with the RDC to resolve them.

Speaking on the environmentally sound management of waste, Duncan acknowledged the lack of facilities to properly treat and dispose waste and later pointed out that the region has to manage domestic and municipal waste, disposal of raw septic waste and biohazardous wastes.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer Susannah Saywack said that she is happy that the EPA is conducting regular outreaches in the region.

She said the regional administration is working with the EPA to resolve some of the issues on the coast and called for a closer relationship with the EPA.

Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva, used the opportunity to commend the efforts of the EPA and said she is happy that they are addressing the issue of coconut husks floating in the Pomeroon River.