Several residents and businesses in Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), were fined for failing to adhere to litter regulations as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) partnered to host a clean-up campaign in the community.
A sign being erect in Port Kaituma reminding residents to adhere to the litter regulations
The campaign culminated with an awareness session on December 8, 2016. In addition to the fines and citations against some persons, residents and business owners also learned how to properly utilise the waste management site in the area.
The awareness session took place at the Port Kaituma Community Centre and commenced with opening remarks by Dr Latchmin Punalall – Environmental Awareness Coordinator, Ministry of Natural Resources; Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairperson Margaret Lambert; Darcy Walrond, Senior Environmental Officer II GGMC; and Andrea Bazilio – Senior Regional Environmental and Health Officer. The meeting was chaired by Quincy Thom, Senior Environmental Officer II GGMC.
Carl Foo, a Litter Warden from the EPA’s Litter Prevention Unit presented on the Litter Act and its regulations. Participants were made aware about charges stipulated under the Act for both individuals and businesses. The presentation was interactive with questions asked by residents and business owners alike.
Among the main outcomes of the meeting, were the decisions that there will be no dumping at the entrance of the dump site; that garbage will be dumped systematically from the farthest end at the back coming forward; that residents and business owners will be held liable under the Litter Act for garbage or waste not properly disposed in the community; and that the NDC will maintain the dumpsite in collaboration with the Regional office after the initial clean-up.
Further, it was recommended that the renewal of business licenses at Port Kaituma be conditional, upon the satisfaction of the RDC and NDC that the applicant has maintained sanitary conditions at their place of business. It was concluded too that the pick-up and disposal of garbage at the site should be more organised.
The clean-up campaign commenced on December 5 and lasted four days. This area was chosen due to the existing garbage situation, which resulted from indiscriminate dumping in areas such as: the main market area, the roadways, community centre and along the Kaituma River and banks.
There is a specific dumping site for garbage at Port Kaituma but it was in urgent need of rehabilitation.
The first phase of this exercise included rehabilitation of the existing garbage site. The EPA spearheaded the second phase of this exercise, which involved enlightening business owners and residents of Port Kaituma about the Litter Act and Regulations.
The third and final phase of this exercise included a massive clean-up of the Port Kaituma community and also the erection of ‘Do not litter’ signs around the community.
Additionally, 60 garbage bins along with ‘Do not litter’ signs were handed over to the RDC by GGMC in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
