By Devina Samaroo
The Ministry of Communities today signed a $125M contract with a company called EXP Semco to design sanitary landfill sites to be located at Bartica, Linden and Mahdia.
Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan noted that this is an important milestone in the administration’s overall plan to minimise the public health hazards that have arisen from improper waste disposal. He noted that it is also a part of the administration’s commitment to ensure developmental projects are equally distributed throughout the country.
“We are also committed to ensuring there is more equality in terms of what obtains here in the coastland and the hinterland communities,” the Minister stated.
The designs should be completed within eight months, after which, plans will move apace for construction.
The Ministry also signed a contract with E&A Consultancy totaling $6.5M to conduct soil testing at Mabaruma and Port Kaituma for the possible construction of landfill sites in those areas. This aspect should be completed in three months.
The Head of the Sanitation Department Gordon Gilks said moves are afoot to establish and upgrade the landfill sites at other locations across the country.
“We are looking at other municipalities like Lethem. Presently we are upgrading the site at Rose Hall and we have to look at New Amsterdam and Corriverton,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall who was present during the simply signing ceremony, expressed that this initiative is a step in the right direction especially for a country that is on the path of adapting a green approach.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Emil McGarrel said the intention is to build institutional capacity over the years so that the municipalities can eventually take control of the landfill sites. He also encouraged citizens to play their roles in ensuring proper waste disposal is practiced.
