Sanitation and Waste Management Programme for 2021 –Satrohan Nauth (MLGRD

saniTaTion and wasTe manaGemenT ProGramme for 2021 - saTrohan nauTh

MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADDRESSING SANITATION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ITS PROGRAMME FOR 2021

The sanitation sector in Guyana faces innumerable problems that require the intervention of the Central Government being the pillar of change. This intervention is paramount as Local Democratic Organs (LDOs) are challenged to effectively manage the waste within their respective locality. In keeping with the Government’s manifesto, Low Carbon Development Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals; the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) has placed integrated sustainable sanitation management as a priority for the year 2021 and beyond, driven by a mandate which seeks to “strengthen the solid waste management programme at the local level to deliver timely collection and appropriate disposal of garbage”.

The Ministry received its largest budgetary allocation of approximately $1.2B for the sanitation sector in Guyana for 2021 with the aim to move from waste management to resource management as part of the circular economy. Within the next five years, the Ministry intends to be a significant contributor towards sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

THE DIAGRAM BELOW SUMMARIZES THE MAJOR AREAS OF FOCUS BY THE MLGRD FOR 2021.

increase in waste per capita as the economy continues to grow rapidly. The Ministry intends to strengthen human and institutional capacity through the launching of our modern legislative and policy framework for solid waste management. A draft of the Solid Waste Management Bill is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Legal Affairs in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will have public consultations moving ahead, before finalization. When enacted, the implementation of this legislation will see the formation of a Solid Waste Management Authority/ Commission to oversee the management of solid waste

The need to further strengthen national policy, strategy, operational frameworks and institutional capabilities for the development of the sanitation sector is recognized as the LDOs continue to face major challenges in ensuring access to waste collection services, eliminating uncontrolled disposal and burning of waste. As a result, the Ministry is now giving more attention to both the physical components i.e, collection, recycling and disposal; and governance aspects i.e, inclusivity, financial sustainability, and sound institutions and proactive policies.

The MLGRD will devise and implement innovative and effective policies as well as practices to promote the reducing, reusing and recycling (3R) initiatives and stem the relentless in Guyana.

Furthermore, the MLGRD in collaboration with all stakeholders will formulate the country’s first sanitation sector plan that will provide strategic directions for the Ministry along with the LDOs to effectively improve the performance and management of the sector. In addition, every administrative region should have a waste management plan that allows access to a roadmap that outlines the management of solid waste in the respective regions. Therefore, the Ministry will be developing waste management plans for regions 2 & 3 this year. In addition further works to be done in the regions include temporary waste disposal sites, pre-investment studies and designs of waste management facilities.

saniTaTion and wasTe manaGemenT ProGramme for 2021 - saTrohan nauTh

The Government is aware that accumulating waste poses potential risks to the health of all citizens and the costs of inaction are much higher than the costs of providing a proper service. Therefore, the Ministry is committed to improve access to safe disposal facilities for all citizens by continuously supporting the LDOs with the upgrading of dumpsites (Rose Hall, Belle View, De’ Edward, Lusignan, Charity, Lima, Port Kaituma and Lethem) to controlled landfills across the country, providing landfill operation services and executing cleanup programmes to enhance the aesthetics of the communities. These activities will create a clean and prestine environment while encouraging proper disposal of solid waste and alleviate illegal dumping.

The Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill Facility (HBSLF) is the largest waste management facility in the country that receives approximately 500 tons of waste per day from residents and businesses in Regions 3 and 4. The first cell has outlived the intended capacity which necessitated the construction of cell number two that will provide adequate capacity for accepting waste for the continued operation of the facility. Leachate produced from the decomposition of waste is an environmentally harmful substance and must be treated before releasing into the drainage network. The construction of the leachate treatment facility at HBSLF will utilize the waste stabilisation ponds to improve the quality of effluent to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit.

Several other projects will be undertaken in 2021 to bring the facility up to standards with the requirements set out by the EPA for continued operations. For instance, the wheel wash facility is a component of the landfill that will be constructed to clean and disinfect the wheels of the vehicles that traverse into the landfill. This will eradicate the issue of landfill debris on the access road and create a safe working environment for staff.

As part of the landfill emergency preparedness plan, the Ministry will be constructing a separate building at the HBSLF in compliance with Guyana Fire Service standards to house firefighting equipment and installation of an emergency alarm system. Further works include the replacement of the weighbridge that will aid in the data collection of the daily amount of waste disposed at the site, and the installation of a potable water supply connection to the distribution network to supplement the current rainwater harvesting system.

Landfill operation generates a lot of noise and emanate odours from the inorganic decomposition of waste. To combat this problem, a landfill revegetation tree barrier will be used as a bio-filter to absorb and reduce the number of pollutants released into the atmosphere. Furthermore, in order to promote waste separation and improve access within the landfill, the internal access road to the metal and inert waste sections will be also be rehabilitated. HBSLF after undergoing incremental development works will become a model for an engineered sanitary landfill facility where personnel from the LDOs, Educational Institutions, Private Sector, etc. can visit to gain first-hand experience on various aspects of Guyana’s first waste management facility.

The Dakoura dumpsite located in the Township of Linden has been in an environmentally unacceptable state for many years. This disposal site is illegal and falls within the Dakoura watershed which poses a significant threat to polluting the Linden water supply and affecting the health of residents. The Ministry will supporting the Municipality with the closure and restoration of this site to prevent water pollution and ehance the area for other use.

Traditional waste management has dealt with waste after it has been discarded, however, the Ministry intends to adopt a more effective life-cycle approach, aiming to tackle the problem at the source. Public education and awareness are integral parts of any country solid waste management programme. A change in people’s behaviour can only occur if they are aware of the problem and the consequences of their actions. The Ministry will continue to engage and sensitize the public through our 3R programme by utilizing social media; installation of billboards and waste separation depot; distribution of waste receptacles, signage, garbage bags, reusable shopping bags and bottles. This will enable citizens to make better choices to safeguard the health and well-being of their families and the environment around them.

Extending sound waste management services in a rapidly growing economy is a national public health priority that requires a coordinated national and local government response and action. Hence, a regular and reliable waste collection service will be extended to all citizens by the LDOs, and uncontrolled dumping and open burning will be eliminated. Moveover, the Ministry aims to provide access to proper waste disposal infrastructure by developing waste management facilities in all administrative regions while closing and restoring illegal dumpsites. The completion of these projects will see major improvements in the sector and promote sustainable sanitation and waste management at the local level.

Satrohan Nauth Civil Engineer