| – $300M to complete works By Keeran DannySome $732M is slated to be expended this year on several aspects of the Haags Bosch landfill site project to enhance solid waste management within Region Four’s 15 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Georgetown Municipality.Of that amount, $300M would be utilized to complete works at the location, while procuring trucks and receptacles and constructing a holding facility in Georgetown are on the Ministry’s agenda.This was revealed by Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud at a press briefing yesterday in the Ministry’s boardroom located at Kingston.The Haags Bosch landfill site.According to Persaud,Kurt Warner Cardinals Throwback Jersey, the Haags Bosch landfill site’s cell one is currently being used, developed,World Baseball Classic Jerseys 2017, and “is a work in progress”. He related that work on the cell will only cease when it no longer has the capacity to accommodate more waste.Persaud said that with proper compaction the capacity of the cell would keep increasing. He noted that no works are being executed on other cells since it would not be practicable to leave ditches.According to Gordon Gilkes, Project Coordinator, the cell has the capacity to retain waste for about four and a half to five years. The landfill site receives about 1,010,000 tons per year, so emphasis is being placed on encouraging residents to reduce waste.Providing a background of the financial aspect of the project, Persaud said in excess of US$10M has been dispersed under the US$18M Inter-American Development Bank-funded project. He is confident that the remaining US$7M is sufficient to complete the project which was inked in 2007.According to Persaud,Dale Hawerchuk Jersey, the Ministry is hoping to spend $20M to complete construction of its hazardous waste mechanism.“We can take from the hydroclave sterilized medical and hazardous waste and then deposit at Haags Bosch.”Persaud said that this year the Ministry is seeking to continue its public awareness efforts. The Ministry has contracted Guyenterprise to the tune of $42M for these services. The entity is to ensure every citizen within the boundaries of the 15 NDCs and Municipality understands that solid waste management plays an integral part in ensuring a healthy environment and by extension a healthy nation.In addition, it would have to inform or remind residents that the time is drawing near for the implementation of the solid waste tax. Persaud explained that every household within Region Four would have to pay $1,000 or $1,200 monthly for waste collection. The local bodies would of course have to provide adequate services in return.This is the third phase of the public awareness aspect of the project. The first component was executed at the commencement of the project. Consultations were carried out with residents of various communities on the East Bank Demerara and stakeholders. Another phase dealt with schools, health and other related organizations.During the coming phase of the campaign, much emphasis will be placed on how to reduce household waste through recycling. However, educating residents how to sort their waste is also expected to be covered.“This aspect (public awareness) of the programme is rolling out and I am not sure it has reached as yet. Part of this public awareness may hint to sorting of our waste…in placing them in identifiable containers. But,Brian Campbell Jersey, this aspect would be boosted more when the recycle programme awards are made for recycle operators in our country. Then there would be the responsibility to promote separating or sorting guidance to the residents. To place too much emphasis now may be too preemptive.”Meanwhile, the Ministry is seeking to increase its ability to manage waste across the Region by procuring machinery,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, receptacles and closing dumpsites.Persaud noted that the Ministry is hoping to expend about $20M in procuring and distributing 841 solid waste receptacles. Some of these receptacles will be large and could only be removed with heavy-duty machinery. As such, two compactor trucks, properly designed to remove those receptacles, would be procured to the tune of $50M.“To assist with the management across the Region, we would have a hook-lift truck that would be procured for about some $15M. We are hoping this year to bring closure to a number of temporary sites we have on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara to the tune of $20M,” he said.According to the Minister, the Ministry is seeking to erect a drop-off centre in Georgetown,NFL Shop Gear, providing companies and individuals the opportunity to dispose waste. The various elements of this project are being finalized. The holding centre is expected to cost $30M.Persaud indicated that the idea was born out of Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green’s repeated concerns about the early closure of the Haags Bosch site.It is hoped by the authorities that entities would cease indiscriminate dumping and utilize the service from the centre. The holding centre is expected to have a recycling facility and containers to hold specific categories of waste. |
