With the intention of improving Solid Waste Management in the country, $1.6B has been approved in this year’s budget for the maintenance of several landfill sites across the country.
As the Committee of Supply considered the $41.8B budgeted for the Ministry of Local Government, Minister of Local Government, Sonia Parag explained that $1.6B will be utilized to improve the management of solid waste across the country.
She said though it’s the mandate of the local democratic councils, the Local Government Ministry has stepped in to render assistance, as communities expand across the country.
Minister Parag said to date, her Ministry has developed 13 landfill sites.
“From 2020-2024, we would have created 13 landfill sites across the country, and just last year, we would have been able to give a very nearby region, such as Region Five, the opportunity to have a landfill site for the first time in Blairmont, Region Five to accommodate the disposal of garbage,” she reported.
The allocation will go towards the maintenance of landfill sites at Lusignan, Lethem, Bartica, Rose Hall, Kara Kara, East Canje, Blairmont and Belle Vue among other areas.
Minister Parag said this year additional landfill sites would be developed including two in Region Four to provide support to the Haags Bosch Landfill Site. Cell Three of that landfill site is approximately 95% completed, according to the Local Government Minister.
In addition to cell 3 which is under construction, the Ministry is building a hazardous waste cell.
It was noted that only a small portion of treated waste is received from Exxon, but the Local Government Ministry is keenly monitoring hazardous waste received at the site.
Minister Parag noted too that a portion of the $1.6B will be used to roll out a robust public awareness campaign aimed at encourage better waste disposal and management.
“While we are investing heavily through this programme, and it will be also to create several new landfill sites in various areas such as Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and 10, we are creating new landfill sites in 2025, we want to be able to ensure that we also equip the local democratic organs with the capacity to contribute to the collection of garbage, the disposal of garbage, and to ensure that we have that education awareness on littering in the communities,” she said.
Communities will also receive garbage receptacles. In 2024, approximately $1.3B was budgeted for the maintenance of landfill sites.
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