Mayor Green, Whittaker, clash at National Clean Up discussion

Jun 23, 2014 News

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A national conversation to clean up Guyana was marred on Saturday after the City’s Mayor Hamilton Green walked out during the discussion.
The event, a ‘National Conversation for Clean Guyana’, the first of several planned events, was being held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, with the walkout being sparked by a disagreement between Local Government Minister, Norman Whittaker and Mayor Hamilton Green, on  Guyana’s ‘clean up’ plan and the Municipality’s procurement of equipment.
Green walked out after Minister Whittaker refused to answer questions related to the alleged purchasing of ‘second hand’ garbage disposal trucks. The trucks, Green said, were purchased although a new one was recommended.
The Mayor explained that in the last year’s subvention, he did not agree with the memorandum sent to his office, and wrote on it that ‘a new truck’ should be purchased instead of ‘second hand trucks which last a few months.’ Mayor Green was insistent, that the Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, ‘refused to take action’ and told him that the ‘Minister had signed in place of the Mayor’ for the procurement of ‘old, used, second hand trucks.’ He requested from the Minister, to answer whether the town clerk’s statement was true and whether the Minister approved the purchase of second hand trucks instead of the new ones he recommended.
The Minister responded that the ‘planning and implementation committee’ made an allocation of ‘substantial funds to rehabilitate a number of equipment and machinery’ at the City Council. He said that the city engineer already made a list of defective vehicles and machines so that, ‘as part of the sustainability of the clean up exercise, the City Council can be meaningfully involved’. He added that, ‘we are going to do about six or more of their trucks to put them in that position.’ After this reply, the Mayor argued that his questions had not been answered and consequently, he left.
Earlier in the segment Minister Whittaker had included the Georgetown City Council, while highlighting the representatives involved in the ‘planning and implementation committee. The Mayor however, claimed that ‘the duly elected Mayor and Councilors of Georgetown were not consulted’.  He explained that it was ‘wrong, inappropriate, undemocratic and unacceptable’ for the Minister to consult the Solid Waste Director, Walter Narine and City Engineer Mr. Venture, without going through the ‘duly elected officials.’
Reacting to the Mayor’s comments, Minister Whittaker explained that his Ministry determines those who can make a difference and ensure that the project is implemented for the benefits of Guyanese. He said that the city engineer and city solid waste director, are competent young men, who were invited in every meeting where they made significant contributions towards the project. He said it was not about politics; it was about ‘getting things done’.
Others hosting the discussion included Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment.  Robert Persaud, Minister of Health, Bheri Ramsaran, and Local Solid Waste Management Expert, Adriana Thomas.  Members of the UNDP, secondary school students, teachers of the Cyril Potter College of Education, youth groups and other members of the public were in attendance.
The aim is to involve experts and stakeholders in discussing initiatives to develop a ‘national action plan’ for Guyana’s waste management.
Discussions were focused on the GUY$1 billion plan to clean up and sustain canals, drains and kokers, as well as remove tons of garbage.
With Cabinet’s approval, work is set to be done on the clearance of the thickly vegetated Le Repentir cemetery and the removal of illegal dumpsites.
The public attendance gave suggestions on the project’s policy making, its authoritative body, its networking and the implementation of its action plan.
More importantly, Whittaker highlighted the progress of his Ministry in working towards a clean environment. He further stated that community projects are being done within Georgetown, to improve drainage. He said that his ministry is focused on sustainability, so that money would not be burrowed from the Ministry of Finance next year.
Minister Robert Persaud, highlighted his ministry’s involvement in public awareness for solid waste management, such as the ‘Pick it Up Guyana’ Campaign. He explained that the nation has contributed to a ‘national epidemic of nastiness’ and expressed his hopes for a higher level of commitment in Guyana. He says it has now become a national priority, and these issues ought to have a public participation. He said that his ministry will work along with the EPA to ensure more ‘practical, legal mechanisms’ are put in place for those who litter. He said waste disposal sites are currently being worked on by his ministry, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Local Government. He also made reference to Local Government’s effort to acquire proposals for a recycling facility. He said that if a value is put on solid waste, people will not litter irresponsibly.
Minister Bheri Ramsarran suggested that the Ministry of Education be involved in this matter, as it is a multi-stake holder initiative. He commented on the chikungunya virus not only being a health issue, but also an environmental one.  He said that with this new project being recommended, the environment will not only be clean, but also healthy.
Many gathered to address environmental issues, and were consulted appropriately with the relevant authority.

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