MINISTER of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, said that the observance of the United Nations (UN) designated World Environment Day (WED) today presents Guyana with the opportunity to highlight

the leading role it has been playing in terms of protecting the environment.

 

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud

The minister said that Guyana has had a very good track record in terms of how it has preserved and protected the environment by the way its indigenous population relate to it, and by the way in which the country has been able to create an equilibrium between environmental protection and expansion of the extractive sector.

WED will be observed today under the theme, “Think, Eat, Save” which is consistent with an anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourages people to reduce their foodprints.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every year, 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted. At the same time, one in every seven people in the world go to bed hungry and more than 20,000 children under the age of five die daily from hunger.

Today, an observance will be held at the Umana Yana from 09:00hrs to 11:00hrs. This event will include several presentations and exhibits. Stakeholders, including government agencies, non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and the University of Guyana, will be speaking on ways in which citizens and organisations can enhance their role in protecting the environment.
On June 2, the ministry, in collaboration with NGOs and the private sector, led a ‘Green Walk’ through the streets of Georgetown. The event, which started at the Umana Yana and concluded at the National Park, marked the beginning of a week of activities organised by the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to commemorate WED.

“This is an opportunity for Guyanese, not only in Georgetown, but across the country as well, to play a part in speaking of concerns and search for and implement solutions…We don’t want this to be another year of talking, instead we want it to lead to greater action and greater commitment,” the minister said.
The fact that the Chairman of the EPA Board, Ron Webster, is also the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission and the Head of Caribbean Containers Inc. (CCI), puts Guyana in a fortunate position, he stated.

Webster has given the commitment that the business community will be encouraged to play a greater role as it relates to solid waste management, and to look at alternatives for materials such as styrofoam, and recycling. Similar commitments were made by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and other regional chambers of commerce.
With regard to the age-old issue of solid waste management in the city, the minister disclosed that Cabinet has approved tougher regulations, which will be signed on June 5 under the EPA Act.

The minister will also be looking at the appointment of litter wardens. The judiciary has already been written to, requesting special courts in the magistracy, where environmental matters can be dealt with. Fines and a ticketing system will also be instituted.
“We hope that from an enforcement standpoint, this will lead to greater respect and compliance across the country,” Minister Persaud said.

The minister referred to the garbage situation in the city as a “national embarrassment”, and said, “it is sad that the City Council does not seem to be motivated enough to get its act together; instead it seems more inclined to be involved in politics and internal city warfare.”
There will be a grace period between the signing of the regulations to the stage of implementation, during which public awareness will be intensified.

“We have reached the point of national frustration; the government has been making resources available to the City Council, and I think the time for talking is over; we have to do something about this,” Minister Persaud emphasised.
With regard to environmental protection and the extractive sector, the minister said that recently, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) published a report on the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana). That report highlighted that while Guyana has a large mining sector, it manages to maintain minimal impact on the environment.

“Our record is there, but we are not complacent. We recognise that there is still much more to be done and there is a genuine resolve on the part of the various stakeholders to address these matters,” he said.
He also reminded that every citizen has the power to make a difference in environmental protection.