Miller Faizul Hack has been given a cease order for dumping and burning paddy shells in the Strathoven, Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker told Strathavon residents on Wednesday.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, Whittaker made this disclosure at a meeting with Cane Grove and Strathavon residents on Monday where he gave a progress report following a January 2 meeting to find solutions to the long-standing issue of dust pollution in the community. Hack has since complied with the order, residents said.
A resident also told the minister, who was accompanied by Chief Development Officer Sewchan, that there has been no electricity supply to Track ‘A’ Strathavon West for 23 years. In addition, some residents had raised alarm over others dumping household waste into the trench, causing the canals to become blocked.
Whittaker reported that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) was asked to serve notices to the residents guilty of this practice. Since then, eight notices have been served and this measure will be maintained once residents continue to carelessly dispose of waste.
Meanwhile, Cane Grove residents complained about dust emissions from the mill. The miller explained that emissions had reduced significantly after he made improvements valued $30M to the facility and that it was only after a recent fire in the silo burst open the mill’s roof had the area start to experience dust emissions. Though residents living closest to the mill were affected after the interventions made in September, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test was scheduled to ensure that the emission levels from the mill met international standards. Whittaker also reported that on January 9, the Guyana Fire Service and the EPA visited the mill and the ministry is currently awaiting a report which will then be forwarded to the NDC.
The problem has been an ongoing one and last year residents turned to the Alliance For Change for assistance after arguing that the PPP/C government was doing nothing about their complaints.
Residents also told the meeting that they were experiencing serious truancy problems which are leading to illegal activities. In response, Whittaker said the community’s computer centre will be reopened and used to create learning and recreational activities. As such, community leaders were asked to submit proposals for assistance to the ministry.
