Fire at NA dumpsite continues to burn, posing environmental concerns

A fire that erupted on Monday at the municipal dumpsite in New Amsterdam continues to burn, thus posing concerns among the residents, but more particularly the Town Council.
The municipal dumpsite, situated at Esplanade Road in New Amsterdam, went up in flames on Monday, and the Fire Service has been battling to contain the blaze. Heavy winds have pushed the raging flames to the far side of the dumpsite, making it impossible for firefighters to reach the location. However, the GFS has assured that there is no threat to life or property.
The GFS had said the fire was under control on Tuesday, but on Wednesday thick smoke obscured visibility in the compound of the New Amsterdam Hospital and on the premises of the Berbice High School. The situation became so worrying that Mayor Wainwright McIntosh has had to make his second visit to the location, where he was able to speak with workers contracted by Cevons Waste Management (CWM), who have responsibility for managing the dumpsite.
“What they are saying is that they are making preparations via the excavation of a drainage network, after which they will install a three-inch pump. According to the worker at the dumpsite, to say when this pump will arrive, the worker has no knowledge as to when it will arrive to commence the process of eradication of the fire at the municipal dumpsite,” McIntosh has said.
A worker employed with a firm contracted by CWM explained that the plan is to dig two reservoirs to get access to water to battle the ongoing fire. However, the system suggested to be put in place is not likely to have any significant impact on the fire, as the reservoir would not have capacity to supply water in the amount anywhere close to what is needed.
Up to Thursday evening, fire fighters were at the scene, battling the blaze which continues to spread rapidly.
“The residents are affected; it is a health hazard and it causes concern. So, I am asking for the contractor to hasten his footsteps to deal with this environmental crisis that we are faced with as a Municipality,” the mayor has declared.
In explaining that the dumpsite is not being managed by the Municipality, McIntosh related that all efforts are being made to get in contact with the management of the company contracted to manage the facility.
“It is not the municipality who would have given that contract out. This contract was procured through the Government of Guyana. The Municipality, sadly, to date has not seen any contract coming from the Government of Guyana or the contractor,” Mayor McIntosh explained.
In 2020, under the previous administration, a contract was given to CWM.