BOBCAT of Berbice, under the directorship of Shrikissoon Ramjanam, has been awarded the solid waste management contract, following the withdrawal of Pooran Brothers from the Central/Upper Corentyne district.

Ramjanam was one of four contractors who bided for the contract during a re-tendering exercise by the East Berbice/Corentyne (Region 6) Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
The contract signing took place in the RDC boardroom at Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam on Monday in the presence of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr Ganga Persaud.
Regional Chairman Permaul Armogan in his address to a gathering at the event, said that the RDC is dedicated to making the private solid waste management project workable for the benefit of the community and he also called on media operatives to disseminate accurate information to the public, which will be considered a sensitisation campaign.
“The press is an important partner in this drive to enhance solid waste management. This is not something that we are experimenting with, it’s the way forward and it has to work,” he asserted.

TERMINATION OF CONTRACT
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government  Mr Colin Croal, in brief remarks, said  the contract of Concept Services had to be terminated while Pooran Brothers gave up their contract due to pressing commitments in other parts of the country.
“Bobcat will be operating from the western section of Kildonan Village to Moleson Creek and we foresee a good working relationship between the community and Mr. Ramjanam since he hails from Berbice and would be able to interact with the people and understand their needs,” the permanent secretary stated.
Minister Persaud indicated that the garbage collection programme entails moving Guyana forward as it relates to solid waste disposal and management as it will fit well into how Guyanese conduct similar businesses in a modernised environment.
“The implications of garbage not properly managed has untold health issues and apart from that, it interferes with the ambiance of society. The contractor will be required to provide services that meets the need of the population; he has agreed to provide services at a cost that is reasonable to those of the lowest income bracket in the society,” he said.
Persaud also pointed out that his ministry is looking to replace dump sites with landfill sites and it is still a work in progress since it is a new venture being undertaken by the Government of Guyana.
“The People’s Progressive Party/Civic government over the past 21 years has worked assiduously in partnerships with as many dedicated and committed Guyanese filled with patriotism to bring greater joy and comfort into the lives of our people,” he declared.

EXPECTATIONS
Minister Persaud pointed out that the new contractor is expected to provide efficient and effective services to the communities where he will serve and is also urging the contractor to constantly reach out to the people.
“For one’s business to prosper, it would require buying-in from major stakeholders,” he noted.
The minister then pledged the support of the Ministry of Local Government and the Region 6 RDC to the contractor, with the expectation  that there would be an improvement in solid waste management throughout the region.