Over the past few years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Guyana has undergone significant transformation under the leadership of Executive Director Kemraj Parsram.
Since assuming office in 2021, Parsram has been at the forefront of enhancing the Agency’s capacity: ensuring the efficient and effective environmental regulation of development activities, and addressing critical challenges in the oil and gas sector while maintaining a focus on the livelihoods of Guyanese citizens.
Parsram’s journey with the EPA spans decades, he having started his career with the Agency in the 1990s. His extensive experience and dedication to environmental sustainability have shaped his leadership approach, ensuring that development in Guyana occurs in harmony with environmental safeguards.
Recognizing the need for strong Guyanese leadership, Parsram returned to the Agency to strengthen its regulatory framework and enhance its capacity to protect and ensure sustainable use of the country’s natural resources.
The EPA has faced numerous challenges, particularly in the face of our booming oil and gas industry. The rapid rate of development in this sector has required the Agency to adapt quickly, expanding its technical capacity and ensuring that environmental safeguards are strictly enforced.
A key hurdle was to build expertise in oil spill management, radiation monitoring, and chemical storage oversight. To address this, the agency focused on capacity-building, leveraging international best practices, and strengthening investigative capabilities to monitor offshore and onshore developments effectively.
Parsram has highlighted that while the oil and gas sector garners significant attention, a balance has had to be struck between economic development and environmental protection in the Agency’s work in regulating small businesses and community-level industries: from furniture manufacturing to spray painting operations. Rather than imposing abrupt shutdowns, the Agency has worked closely with business owners to improve compliance, while ensuring that livelihoods are sustained.
Despite challenges, the EPA has made remarkable progress in several areas, one of the most significant being increasing staff capacity and structuring teams according to various sectors. To complement this, the Agency has introduced a specialised training programme aimed at equipping staff with both fundamental and advanced skills required to execute their mandate effectively.
Another major achievement has been the enhancement of environmental permits, particularly in the oil and gas sector. The Agency has incorporated financial assurance measures such as the recent $2 billion company guarantee to ensure that environmental liabilities are adequately covered. These measures were developed on the basis of extensive research and collaboration with international organizations, reinforcing the agency’s regulatory strength.
Additionally, the EPA has embraced technology to improve environmental monitoring and decision-making. The implementation of remote monitoring systems has enabled real-time data collection, enhancing the agency’s ability to track environmental impacts and enforce regulations. This science-based approach to decision-making ensures that regulatory measures are informed by accurate, data-driven insights.
EPA’s Remote Monitoring Room
Addressing concerns about the Agency’s ability to manage the oil and gas sector, Parsram has reaffirmed that the EPA has continuously evolved to meet regulatory expectations. He acknowledged that while the Agency developed and issued its first oil permit in 2017, it has since made significant strides. By learning from global best practices and improving the permit, the EPA has strengthened its regulatory framework to better oversee the sector.
Importantly, the Agency has encouraged staff to pursue continuous learning, and has also provided necessary training to ensure the core competencies of staff, and the knowledge and expertise needed to regulate the sector effectively.
While acknowledging past challenges, Parsram has emphasised that the Agency is committed to refining its regulatory processes and aligning them with both national laws and international best practices.
As the country’s chief environmental regulator, the EPA is tasked with enforcement actions to ensure compliance. The Agency has actively taken legal action against violators, although these cases are often not widely publicized.
Parsram has noted that enforcement extends beyond litigation, as the EPA also works proactively with businesses to achieve compliance before resorting to punitive action. This balanced approach ensures that regulatory measures are both effective and fair.
With a solid foundation in place, the EPA continues to strengthen its role as Guyana’s leading environmental authority. Moving forward, the Agency aims to build on its achievements by further enhancing staff expertise, leveraging technology, and refining its regulatory strategies.
The Agency’s mandate remains the same: to promote, facilitate, and coordinate effective environmental management and protection and the sustainable use of the country’s natural resources.
Under Parsram’s leadership, the EPA has demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of rapid development. Through strategic planning, capacity building, and an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, the Agency is well-positioned to meet the challenges of the future, while safeguarding Guyana’s environment for generations to come.
