EPA warning over illegal garbage dumping when NDC has made no provision for waste disposal

Dear Editor,

Earlier yesterday (October 6), seven individuals, some in the uniform of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), visited residents in Uitvlugt on the West Coast of Demerara. Their stated purpose was to issue warnings to residents who allegedly dumped garbage illegally.

It was made clear that the EPA will soon follow up on these warnings by issuing fines.

The EPA’s visit was certainly surprising for residents, as this was the first time we heard of this new enforcement programme. We’re calling on the EPA to provide the public with the following information with all possible expediency:

  1. the roles and powers of the teams which will make community visits;
  2. whether fines can be issued for alleged illegal dumping. If yes, how will fines be calculated and how will payments be made?

iii.What is the role of the NDCs and the RDCs in this campaign?

We urge the EPA to bear in mind that the NDCs make no provision for waste disposal in our community, in spite of us having paid rates and taxes. We all incur additional expenses paying a privately owned company to dispose of our garbage.

We encourage the EPA, the Regional Administration, and by extension the Government of Guyana to consider these circumstances and design a waste disposal programme that would suit its purpose and benefit all involved.

Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)