Guyana to receive award for improved nutrition
President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar has revealed that Guyana will receive an award from the Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO] for improved nutrition.
The President made the disclosure today at Umana Yana, during a ceremony in observance of World Environment Day.
President Ramotar said that Guyana is one of 17 countries which have improved nutrition, out of 189 countries. Guyana is expected to receive the award later this month in Rome.
The President also took note of the embarrassing garbage situation facing the city and explained that this issue exists not only in Georgetown but in the wider community, as far as the interior regions.
Meanwhile, speaking at the World Environment Day was United States Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt who pointed out that the many activities held thus far, indicates that the people of this country wants a clean and healthy environment.
The US Ambassador commended the Green Walk, which was held on Saturday last by the Environment Ministry and suggested that the next time such an event is held, the participants should be given garbage bags to pick up the garbage they pass on the streets.
According to Ambassador Hardt, the only way the Georgetown garbage situation can be rectified, is if local government elections are held this year.
Additionally, Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Robert Persaud revealed that the government is currently looking at ways in which trash can be converted to money. He noted that discussions are already in train with several beverage companies.
Minister Persaud said that a number of proposals were already discussed at the level of cabinet on how to make this imitative a reality.
The Minister also pointed out an instance where the National Assembly rejected an amendment to address the plastic issue.
While initiatives are being looked at to tackle the garbage situation in the country, the Minister pointed out that government is not receiving the support from the parliamentary level.
“We were looking at how they can deal with plastic and plastic containers…a simple amendment was proposed whereby all plastic containers…have a $5 environmental tax extend to other plastic containers, yet it was rejected by the National Assembly and yet we continue to hear platitudes that we need to do something about it, we’re trying to do something about it, but we need the support. And it sometimes frustrates the efforts and sends mixed signals to the wider Guyanese community, when we talk about persons taking individual and collective action,” the Minister said.
World Environment Day is being observed under the theme, Think, Eat, Save.