Illegal vending targeted in US$1.5M waste management project

Mar 26, 2014 News

…Municipal markets, tarmacs to benefit

By Zena Henry
Minister within the Local Government Ministry Norman Whittaker, yesterday blamed the escalation of solid waste in the city on the growth of illegal vending on street corners and government reserves.
During a simple signing ceremony at his Ministry, he explained that part of a multi-government-funded programme will address the vending issue, which he indicated is a major contributor to the problems related to solid waste management.
Minister Whittaker and United Nations Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa, signed off on the $US1.5M solid waste improvement project which is being funded by the India, Brazil and South African Trust Fund.

Minister Norman Whittaker and UNDP Resident Khadija Musa sign project documents while Ambassador Luiz Giberto Seixas De Angrade (right) and a UNDP representative look on

The project is being implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by the Local Government Ministry.
The Minister related that the country has faced significant challenges in managing the environment, “in such a way that supports and compliments efforts to improve health care and sanitation.” He said that government has not been able to rise above the challenge of solid waste management, despite the “tremendous” efforts by both the Administration and relative bodies.
He pointed out however that, “it is important to know that the escalation of the problem of solid waste rose about the same time as people started vending on the reserves and roadsides. When you talk of roadside vending, you also talk about the increase in solid waste it has brought about; the two go hand in hand”.
He said significant resources have been expended to build markets that were handed over to Local Government bodies; municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC). Tarmacs have also been constructed and vendors were invited to use the facilities, but the limit in resources and infrastructure shows that the locations lack some of the facilities people are looking for. The Minister highlighted that the project will therefore seek to address some of these issues.
It was explained that the venture entails three major components; the procurement of two compactor trucks and two mini-excavators, addressing the expansion; rehabilitation of seven markets and market tarmacs and addressing the issue of illegal vending. The project will also look at the raising of public awareness of responsible solid waste disposal; through flyers etc.
Minister Whittaker explained that the compactor trucks and excavators will be used for collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste in Region 4. The ministry, he said, will be supporting these activities in that region since the 14 NDCs do not have the capacity to manage their waste properly. Washroom facilities and waste receptacles will be placed on the tarmacs, while rehabilitation work will commence at six municipal markets – Anna Regina, Rose Hall, New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Linden and Georgetown.
Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana Mr. Luiz Giberto Seixas De Andrade explained that the India, Brazil and South Africa Fund (IBSA) was formed in 2004 to alleviate poverty and hunger. Each country contributes annually US$1M to the trust, which operates on a demand-driven approach.
Mrs. Musa explained that the UNDP’s role is to manage the Fund. She said that countries submit proposals and the board approves the project if it is found to be in keeping with the plans.
“The Fund is multi-faceted and among the issues it looks into is poverty alleviation.”
She explained that many poverty-stricken areas and communities lack waste management mechanisms and this contributes to health issues. “This project therefore will provide very important equipment, logical and otherwise, to assist within the overall plan of the government in reforming collection and waste management, and particularly contribute to the logistics of that.”
She alluded to other works being conducted around the city by the government and expressed hope that the project would go towards complementing that. Mrs. Musa also commented on the congestion and waste amounts that the city’s largest market, Stabroek, generates. She highlighted that much focus will be placed in that area, in terms of health considerations.