EPA cutting down on emergency response times – Executive Director

…has capacity to respond to radiation emergency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Saturday celebrated its 27th anniversary, with Executive Director Kemraj Parsaram reflecting on some of the agency’s strides. These include its efforts to cut down on the time it takes to respond to emergencies and building the capacity to respond to emergencies involving radiation.

During a ceremony at the National Cultural Center that featured performances from dance groups and even EPA staff themselves, Parsaram revealed that staff have undergone training that will equip them to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. In fact, he made it clear that this continues to be a work in progress.
Parsaram explained that the EPA is focused on the “continuous enhancement of our emergency capabilities. Making decisions based on sound science, cutting edge technologies and organizational excellence.”
Additionally, EPA has several officers who have undergone training with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This includes training in environmental safeguards when managing radioactive sources. According to Parsaram, the EPA is operating based on a plan.
“We have a plan. And this plan has several ambitious goals. From preventing harm to protecting environmental officers to ensuring compliance. Continuous enhancement of our emergency response capabilities, making decisions supported by cutting edge technology and organizational excellence.”
“We have been hard at work over the last few years, going from community to community, coaching and providing support to businesses to comply… fostering partnerships and bettering understanding,” the executive director said.
According to Parsaram, the EPA believes in proportionate action and thus, the appropriate and proportionate action was at all times taken when faced with breaches of the regulations. Parsaram assured that the agency would continue to fulfill its mandate of protecting the environment.
“We will protect our world class biodiversity by supporting our sister agencies like the Protected Areas Commission and the Wildlife Conservation Commission. We know the EPA over the next five years will ensure a few things. We will ensure that our air remains breathable. And we will reduce emissions in all sectors. We will improve and protect our water quality in key waterways (that intersect) oil and gas, mining and industrial activities,” Parsaram said.
“Littering. We must eliminate littering. Yes, our streets and drains have to be cleaned. We will address this. And in partnership with the Guyana Police Force, we will eliminate noise nuisance. We have to take a social approach to compliance… let us work hand in hand to maintain and ensure a low carbon and biodiversity positive future for generations to come.”
The EPA was established after the Environmental Protection Act 1996 was passed in the National Assembly. The year before, an environmental disaster of catastrophic proportions, the Omai Gold Mines dam spill, resulted in the contamination of the Essequibo River after hazardous waste from mining activities was dumped into the river.
Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is a highly toxic chemical used in mining to bind gold together. Exposure to mercury fumes affects the nervous and reproductive systems and damages brain function.
Guyana signed onto the United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013 and ratified the convention in 2014. Over the years the Ministry of Natural Resources has partnered with the WWF and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to draft a National Action Plan (NAP) which will see a phased reduction of the use of mercury in the mining sector to complete elimination by 2027 through the implementation of a phased mercury reduction strategy.
The NAP captures a number of objectives and strategies as outlined in the Minamata Convention. These include mercury use reduction, increasing the viability of small- and medium-scale mining, management of mercury waste, environmental assessment, contaminated sites, public health aspects and public information awareness and education. (G3)