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Sanitation and Solid Waste Management in Guyana. Presentation by. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. GUYANA.
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Sanitation and Solid Waste Management in Guyana Presentation by The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development
GUYANA • Guyana (Officially referred to as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana),is a sovereign state found on the northern coast of South America. Guyana was originally colonized by the Dutch (Netherlands) and later became a British Colony. Guyana remained under the British Administration for a prolong period until it finally achieved independence on 26th May 1966 from the United Kingdom and became a republic on 23 February 1970. Guyana is also considered the only country in South America where English is the official language.
National Boundaries Guyana is bordered by Venezuela on the west, Suriname on the east, Brazil on the south and the Atlantic Ocean on the north and comprising an area of 214,969 square kilometers or 83,000 sq. miles.
Brief Overview of Local Government System The Local Government System in Guyana originated after the abolition of slavery in 1834. It emerged as a mechanism from colonialism whereby the ex-slaves purchased the abandoned coffee and sugar plantations from the plantation owners. Plantation such as Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast and Den Amstel on the West Bank of Demerara were bought out right by one person, whilst others, such as Victoria, were purchased collectively by the freed slaves. The former system of purchase was known as proprietary villages and while the latter purchase was referred to as the communal villages.
A system of self-government was subsequently set up through the establishment of a “Management Committee” in each village. This system was later adopted in the proprietary villages and formed the basis for the emergence of a form of Local Government. This movement however, was met with much hostility by some the local planters who feared that the successful achievement of the aims of the villagers would serve as a threat to their continued domination and exploration of the estate labour force. However, approaching the period 1845-1930 Guyana experienced the enactment of several legislations that were primarily geared towards improvement and enhancement of the general conditions of the villages and quality of lives.
During the period of 1932, a decentralized system of administration through District Commissions was introduced and subsequently three years later (1935) an ordinance was passed which provided improved methods of village elections. In 1945 the Local Government Act Chapter 150 (now referred to as Chap 28:01) was consolidated and the Municipal District Councils Act Chapter 28:01, and the Local Authorities Act Chap. 28:04 were introduced. However, to achieve holistic development Guyana was divided into ten (10) regions which were further sub-divided into sub-regions, districts, communities, neighbourhoods and people’s cooperative units, each being charged with varying responsibilities to promote socio-economic development.
Guyana’s Local Government Organs The sub-division was primarily geared to achieve the objectives set out in the Constitution of Guyana, which is organized to involve as many stakeholders as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) is a primary Government Agency which links the various authorities with the central Government. MLGRD over the years facilitates, coordinates and monitors the implementation of various projects and programmes in conformity with the legal framework and polices of the Government.
MLGRD’s Regional Solid Waste Management Programme is no where different from the other programmes executed and implemented by the Ministry. Monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects is always a priority for MLGRD and the local government arms/organs. The local government arms perform supervisory roles to projects and programmes executed and implemented at the regional, neighbour -hood, and municipal administrations, basically to ensure the implemented projects/programmes accomplished their designated goals and values for monies spent are received.
Local Government Organs THE REGIONAL DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL (10 in total, refer to slide # 10) The Regional Democratic Council is the supreme Local Government Organ in each Administrative Region with the responsibility for the overall management and administration of the Region and the coordination of the activities of all Local Democratic Organs within its boundaries.
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL (65 in total) A Neighbourhood Democratic Council covers a small geographic area within each region and is tasked with responsibility for the management and administration of these areas within its boundaries THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS (6 in total) The municipalities operate under the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01. The provision allows for a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors, the Town Clerk is the Administrator. Each Council has the responsibility for solid waste collection and disposal, maintenance of infrastructure services (roads, bridges, etc.), market facilities, and child welfare services among others within the urban boundaries.
Why the Solid Waste Programme was implemented • Environmentalism and good management practices increases the accessibility to resources but, our natural environment, is considered very sensitive to man’s action and/or way of life. Our natural environment is seen as an integral part of Guyana’s productivity, this together with the quality of nature plays a significant role in the success of any socio-economic development and building of environmental consciousness. Guyana’s previous waste disposal strategies did posed direct and indirect impacts on our country’s socio-economic development and also environmental deterioration to some extent.
In an effort to effectively mitigate the negative impacts emerging from our waste disposal strategies, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) decided to launch a Regional Solid Waste Management Programme through a Public-Private Partnership Agreement. With this agreement landfill sites were identified in each Administrative Region and contractors were invited to express their interest of participation with exception of Region # 04, (which already has an active Solid Waste Management Programme and landfill site located at Haag Bosch serving the capital City of Georgetown and its environs).
Objectives of the programme • To develop and maintain a comprehensive and integrated solid waste management approach that addresses collection, transportation and disposal of solid wastes. • To provide efficient and economical refuse collection, recycling, and disposal services. • To implement programmes encouraging the use of permitted solid waste management facilities for the proper management of solid wastes. • To provide a framework that will allow for a periodic review and evaluation of the recommendations and guidelines set forth in the solid waste management plan to ensure that the plan remains responsive and effective
Procedures used to recruit contractors • Public advertisement (public newspapers for 3 consecutive weeks) • A total of eight (8) expressions of interests were received by the MLGRD • The applicants were subsequently invited to a orientation meeting by MLGRD based on operation terms and conditions fro the programme * The applicants were invited by MLGRD technical team on visits to the Regional Landfill Sites identified
After visiting the sites the potential solid waste contractors were • given a maximum ten (10) days to resubmit their proposal based on • visitation made to sites and operation terms and conditions • inclusive of the agree service charges
Re-submission of proposals: Potential solid waste contractors were asked specifically to provide answers to the following: Rate per “barrel charge” (or cost per barrel-45G) Period of Lease ( for the landfill site) List of assets owned (machines/equipment) Human resource capacity (technical and non technical staff) How soon willing to commence operation if granted the opportunity Work experience in solid waste collection and management
Steps taken after the proposals were resubmitted • The proposals were further evaluated and the applicants were invited to an additional meetings at MLGRD • The applicants were informed of their respective awards and the revised charges and operating conditions • Offer letters were subsequently issued to each contractor • Signed copies of the offer letters were returned to the MLGRD within five working days agreeing to take up the offer • Contracts and MOUs were drafted and sent to the MoLA for vetting and finalization (legally).
Comments were sent by MoLA to MLGRD and the necessary amendments requested were made to the MoU and Contract • The contractors were subsequently invited to signing ceremonies held at the respective Regional Democratic Council
Assistance requested from Government * Access to State lands Land (via lease) * Access to local labour force * Duty free concession on all machines & equipment * Road building assistance/maintenance * Enforcement of solid waste legislations * Public awareness programmes * Guidelines and assistance thru. the EPA on the management and development of landfill sites
Challenges encountered to date • Unfavourable weather pattern affects the development and completion of landfill sites • Slow buy-in to the new system by residents of some Regions particularly Regions 2, 5, and 6 • Contractors opting out of the programme (Region 1, 6, and 8) • Contractors not adherent to the EPA guidelines for the management and development of landfill sites • Contractors in some instances are not up keeping their commitments made and documented and hinders the expected progress on the programme.
General expectations of the programme * Clean up the urban and rural environments to achieve better quality of life * Introduce an environmentally friendly programme to address the country’s waste disposal problems (particularly solid waste) * Create job opportunities (informal sector labourers-pickers) * Increase accessibility to new technologies for solid waste management and/or recycling *Closing all outdated and inefficient solid waste disposal site aka“dumpsite”
“Solid Waste Management: a good choice today for a healthier tomorrow”Thank you!
