Wednesday January 29, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Solid Waste Management Programme…
Damaged GT&T cables in Mocha residents learn about Bartica affect more than 600 composting via outreach
Some of the damaged GT&T cables in Bartica. More than 600 customers’ telephone services in Bartica are affected by damage caused to several cables in the mining district by a third party contractor. According to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) yesterday, this significant damage will require extensive excavation works, including concrete, and replacement for a section of 900-, 600- and 200-pair cables for a conduit crossing.
“GT&T has repeatedly appealed to contractors to consult the company before carrying out excavation and construction work to avoid such damage and disruptions.” The company has been complaining about damage to its lines by especially contractors conducting public works. The company yesterday said the telephone plant facilities are most vulnerable
to damage and degradation by contractors’ activities, but more importantly, hundreds of customers associated with the telecommunications provider are adversely affected insofar as they are unable to communicate during periods of service disruption. “We apologise for the inconvenience caused and are sparing no effort to restore service at the earliest opportunity.”
GNCPP takes civil society revitalisation... (From page 23) development.” The GNCPP’s delegation comprised Dr. Philip H Mozart Thomas, Clarissa Riehl, Attorney-atLaw, Former Magistrate and former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Attorneyat-Law for the GNCPP, Adrian Thompson, A.M.E Minister Rev. Pastor Dexter N.A. Sansulotte, also an Executive Member of the Guyana Council of Churches, Veteran Trade Unionist Norris Witter, Amerindian Rights Advocate
Patricia Phillips, Shabakie Fernandes, University Lecturer/Civil Society and Faith Based Coalition Advocate, Tracy Chan-Smith, Law Student and Youth and Student Coalition Activist, Vic Insanally, Advertising Executive and Allan Fenty, Public Relations Adviser, Columnist and GNCPP Communications Director. The GNCPP took up an active role towards the end of last year after years of preparation to revitalise the
country’s civic arm. The organization has over the past few weeks held televised programmes educating citizens on their societal role, while hosting discussions on the current affairs and its effect on the masses. One such issue was an increase in fear among citizens; a stance supported by a large number of the programme’s participants. The organization is scheduled to open its headquarters in the coming weeks.
The Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme has embarked on a community-based outreach that seeks to educate residents about the benefits of composting to both the environment and individual citizens. New sessions are also being held in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara and Caledonia, East Bank Demerara. According to Waste Management Specialist attached to the programme, Rufus Lewis, the composting project kicked off in Mocha with theoretical discussions and will soon be followed by practical activities. He said the stakeholders involved in the project include representatives from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, schools, farmers and householders. Lewis said the participants are enthusiastic about learning the new techniques of gardening. Currently, they are constructing a tent to protect the compost materials from harsh weather conditions and leveling the ground. He explained that composting is the breaking down of organic biodegradable materials that are compiled and added to enhance the richness of soil for planting. As such, the project encourages all participants to store up their kitchen and yard waste such as vegetable skins, dry leaves, weeded grass and animal manure. This
process ensures that community residents do not dispose of organic waste into the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill Site. Not only does it take up the much valuable space at the site when it can be put to use, but organic waste in landfills also “generates methane gas, which is 21 times more injurious than carbon dioxide”, the waste management specialist pointed out. Lewis is also urging all farmers to reduce their use of chemical fertilizers on their crops and employ the method of composting, since fertilizers are harmful to the environment. “They cannot stop using it all together, especially if they have large scale farms, but farmers have a tendency of using too much fertilizers sometimes and these are leached into canals and drains, killing fish and contaminating the streams”. Two central locations in Mocha and Arcadia have been chosen as training grounds to carry out composting activities and teach residents new techniques. Tools and materials, when needed, will also be provided to perform the composting activities. Clean and Green Guyana is an initiative that falls under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.