Dysfunctional service by the Environmental Protection Agency

Apr 09, 2021 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

Kaieteur News – Virtually one year ago (July 2020) upon visiting a Senior Citizen at an East Coast (Demerara) Community, I was disturbed at the view and odour of smoke emission from burnt litter. The emissions came from about 100 feet North East from where the household had to suffer the nuisance; meanwhile the culprits went absolutely unaffected by the hazardous smoke.
A complaint was made to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); with a subsequent response alerting me that, “as a result of the lethal Coronavirus Pandemic all field work had ceased until further notice.” Now strikingly to my view, a “Pandemic” with a 99 percent survival rate that can be eluded with detergent and water and/or alcohol based hand sterilizer, prohibited the EPA from discharging its official duties to manage, conserve, protect; and take the necessary action to prevent and control pollution; as a result of a false expectation appearing real.
The EPA then appeared on (January 2021) with a “fearless verve” to investigate the aforesaid complaint; although provided with the necessary directions for their “hot pursuit” the incident was certainly not investigated, and the case closed/terminated for reason that the location was not found. This was brought to my attention only when another complaint was conveyed before the EPA on (February 2021) of a recurrence, with reference to the previous complaint. Further I was informed that a new case was required to be opened without any assurance that an immediate investigation and/or any action taken.
The reasoning behind this was that the EPA possesses numerous backlog cases and is incapable to function accordingly, as a consequence of inadequate apparatuses and manpower. I requested therefore that this recurrence require the deserved attention; whereby a senior citizen has to endure the distress from the random smoke nuisance, without any recourse or corrective action by the EPA.
The EPA field officer then assured me that a team would visit the following week to investigate the matter; however two weeks passed before I received several telephone calls to re-provide directions. I yet again provided simple clear (street by street) cardinal directions, then I was amazed that one field officer was inept to delineate the eastern direction; hitherto they found themselves at the incorrect location.
This was upon the “discovery of charred remains of litter” for which I applauded their discovery, to add to their investigation of the wider community, but the field officers found that amusing. In recognition of the field officers ineptitude to carry out an elementary field visit investigation for a pollution case/complaint, in my view replicates the EPA deprived capacity to manage, conserve, protect and improve the environment at all.
The inadequate response and inaction to prevent and control pollution, by their failure to enforce the enacted environmental regulations was clearly evident; that the EPA failed to deliver its mandate that is to investigate and to apply the basic action to prevent and control litter burning by reckless delinquents; meanwhile the environment suffers from pollution nuisance. The core of the matter moreover, is that the EPA field officers NEVER visited the location and/or pursued any investigation of the case/complaints presented to them. In fact it was recently witnessed on (Saturday 27th March 2021) another episode of burning of litter (emission of black noxious smoke) from some of the usual perpetrators within the street.
For those entities that have a conscience will realise the undiminished litter that linger as an encumbrance on parapets, in and around water channels, and arbitrarily burnt by oblivious and imprudent (residents and businesses) that stand undetected by the EPA. This dysfunctional service demonstrated by the EPA is alarming, for they lack the adequate competency, desire and apparatuses for delivering indispensable service to manage, conserve, protect and improve the environment.
This articulates that the EPA require swift reform, to function relentlessly, to promote edification activities, to remain proactive, synchronised and counteractive toward delinquents that breach the environmental (air and litter pollution and also noise nuisance) regulations. The supreme principal of the EPA must essentially provide the appropriate subsidy to equip the EPA with restructured skills training and knowledge, combined with the apparatuses and staff essential to favourably respond and combat (conserve, manage, prevent and control) environmental pollution complaints (air quality, litter disposal and noise nuisance). Similarly to take the suitable course of action to resolve the backlog of cases and conquer future pollution (air, litter and noise) distress; and to ensure the use of sustainable natural resources that influence economic development, if Guyana ought to be a forthcoming investment and tourism destination.

Sincerely,
Alaric Weithers

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