Sanitation and Solid Waste Management in Guyana

Presentation by

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

GUYANA

• Guyana (Officially referred to as the Co-operative Republic of

Guyana), is a sovereign state found on the northern coast of South

America. Guyana was originally colonized by the Dutch (Netherlands)

and later became a British Colony. Guyana remained under the British

Administration for a prolong period until it finally achieved

independence on 26th May 1966 from the United Kingdom and

became a republic on 23 February 1970. Guyana is also considered

the only country in South America where English is the official

language.

National BoundariesGuyana is bordered by Venezuela on the west, Suriname on the east,

Brazil on the south and the Atlantic Ocean on the north and comprising

an area of 214,969 square kilometers or 83,000 sq. miles.

Brief Overview of Local Government System

The Local Government System in Guyana originated after the abolition

of slavery in 1834. It emerged as a mechanism from colonialism

whereby the ex-slaves purchased the abandoned coffee and sugar

plantations from the plantation owners. Plantation such as

Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast and Den Amstel on the West

Bank of Demerara were bought out right by one person, whilst

others, such as Victoria, were purchased collectively by the freed

slaves. The former system of purchase was known as proprietary

villages and while the latter purchase was referred to as the

communal villages.

A system of self-government was subsequently set up through the

establishment of a “Management Committee” in each village. This

system was later adopted in the proprietary villages and formed the

basis for the emergence of a form of Local Government. This

movement however, was met with much hostility by some the local

planters who feared that the successful achievement of the aims of

the villagers would serve as a threat to their continued domination

and exploration of the estate labour force. However, approaching the

period 1845-1930 Guyana experienced the enactment of several

legislations that were primarily geared towards improvement and

enhancement of the general conditions of the villages and quality of

lives.

During the period of 1932, a decentralized system of administration

through District Commissions was introduced and subsequently three

years later (1935) an ordinance was passed which provided improved

methods of village elections. In 1945 the Local Government Act

Chapter 150 (now referred to as Chap 28:01) was consolidated and

the Municipal District Councils Act Chapter 28:01, and the Local

Authorities Act Chap. 28:04 were introduced.

However, to achieve holistic development Guyana was divided into

ten (10) regions which were further sub-divided into sub-regions,

districts, communities, neighbourhoods and people’s cooperative

units, each being charged with varying responsibilities to promote

socio-economic development.

Guyana’s Local Government Organs The sub-division was primarily geared to achieve the objectives set

out in the Constitution of Guyana, which is organized to involve as

many stakeholders as possible in the task of managing and

developing the communities in which they live.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

(MLGRD) is a primary Government Agency which links the various

authorities with the central Government. MLGRD over the years

facilitates, coordinates and monitors the implementation of various

projects and programmes in conformity with the legal framework and

polices of the Government.

MLGRD’s Regional Solid Waste Management Programme is no where

different from the other programmes executed and implemented by

the Ministry. Monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects is

always a priority for MLGRD and the local government arms/organs.

The local government arms perform supervisory roles to projects and

programmes executed and implemented at the regional, neighbour

-hood, and municipal administrations, basically to ensure the

implemented projects/programmes accomplished their designated

goals and values for monies spent are received.

Local Government Organs

THE REGIONAL DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL (10 in total, refer to slide # 10)

The Regional Democratic Council is the supreme Local Government

Organ in each Administrative Region with the responsibility for the

overall management and administration of the Region and the

coordination of the activities of all Local Democratic Organs within its

boundaries.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL (65 in total)

A Neighbourhood Democratic Council covers a small geographic area

within each region and is tasked with responsibility for the

management and administration of these areas within its boundaries

THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS (6 in total)

The municipalities operate under the Municipal and District Councils

Act Chapter 28:01. The provision allows for a Mayor, Deputy Mayor

and Councillors, the Town Clerk is the Administrator. Each Council has

the responsibility for solid waste collection and disposal,

maintenance of infrastructure services (roads, bridges, etc.), market

facilities, and child welfare services among others within the urban

boundaries.

Why the Solid Waste Programme was implemented

• Environmentalism and good management practices increases the

accessibility to resources but, our natural environment, is considered

very sensitive to man’s action and/or way of life. Our natural

environment is seen as an integral part of Guyana’s productivity, this

together with the quality of nature plays a significant role in the

success of any socio-economic development and building of

environmental consciousness. Guyana’s previous waste disposal

strategies did posed direct and indirect impacts on our country’s

socio-economic development and also environmental deterioration

to some extent.

In an effort to effectively mitigate the negative impacts emerging from

our waste disposal strategies, the Ministry of Local Government and

Regional Development (MLGRD) decided to launch a Regional Solid

Waste Management Programme through a Public-Private Partnership

Agreement. With this agreement landfill sites were identified in each

Administrative Region and contractors were invited to express their

interest of participation with exception of Region # 04, (which already

has an active Solid Waste Management Programme and landfill site

located at Haag Bosch serving the capital City of Georgetown and its

environs).

Objectives of the programme• To develop and maintain a comprehensive and integrated solid waste

management approach that addresses collection, transportation and disposal of solid wastes.

• To provide efficient and economical refuse collection, recycling, and disposal services.

• To implement programmes encouraging the use of permitted solid waste management facilities for the proper management of solid wastes.

• To provide a framework that will allow for a periodic review and evaluation of the recommendations and guidelines set forth in the

solid waste management plan to ensure that the plan remains responsive and effective

Procedures used to recruit contractors

• Public advertisement (public newspapers for 3 consecutive weeks)

• A total of eight (8) expressions of interests were received by the

MLGRD

• The applicants were subsequently invited to a orientation meeting by

MLGRD based on operation terms and conditions fro the programme

* The applicants were invited by MLGRD technical team on visits to the

Regional Landfill Sites identified

• After visiting the sites the potential solid waste contractors were

given a maximum ten (10) days to resubmit their proposal based on

visitation made to sites and operation terms and conditions

inclusive of the agree service charges

Re-submission of proposals: Potential solid waste contractors were asked specifically to provide answers to the following:

Rate per “barrel charge” (or cost per barrel-45G)

Period of Lease ( for the landfill site)

List of assets owned (machines/equipment)

Human resource capacity (technical and non technical staff)

How soon willing to commence operation if granted the opportunity

Work experience in solid waste collection and management

Steps taken after the proposals were resubmitted

• The proposals were further evaluated and the applicants were invited to an additional meetings at MLGRD

• The applicants were informed of their respective awards and the revised charges and operating conditions

• Offer letters were subsequently issued to each contractor

• Signed copies of the offer letters were returned to the MLGRD within five working days agreeing to take up the offer

• Contracts and MOUs were drafted and sent to the MoLA for vetting and finalization (legally).

• Comments were sent by MoLA to MLGRD and the necessary amendments requested were made to the MoU and Contract

• The contractors were subsequently invited to signing ceremonies held at the respective Regional Democratic Council

Assistance requested from Government

* Access to State lands Land (via lease)

* Access to local labour force

* Duty free concession on all machines & equipment

* Road building assistance/maintenance

* Enforcement of solid waste legislations

* Public awareness programmes

* Guidelines and assistance thru. the EPA on the management and

development of landfill sites

Challenges encountered to date

• Unfavourable weather pattern affects the development and completion of landfill sites

• Slow buy-in to the new system by residents of some Regions particularly Regions 2, 5, and 6

• Contractors opting out of the programme (Region 1, 6, and 8)

• Contractors not adherent to the EPA guidelines for the management and development of landfill sites

• Contractors in some instances are not up keeping their commitments made and documented and hinders the expected progress on the programme.

General expectations of the programme* Clean up the urban and rural environments to achieve better quality

of life

* Introduce an environmentally friendly programme to address the country’s waste disposal problems (particularly solid waste)

* Create job opportunities (informal sector labourers-pickers)

* Increase accessibility to new technologies for solid waste management and/or recycling

* Closing all outdated and inefficient solid waste disposal site aka“dumpsite”

Specific benefits of this new programmeKey Stakeholders Potential Benefits

Residents Healthy hygiene standard

Responsible behavior (thru awareness prog.)

Economical method and environmental friendly/healthy waste disposalBetter quality of life

Local Government Organs Spending less on waste collection, disposal, and management.Finances can be diverted to other vital projects to stimulate socio-economic development.Improve coordination and communication with residents, local contractors, and other key stakeholders to make our environment better people’s placesCost effective means for waste management-places less pressure on the organs financial budget and resources.

Specific benefits of this new programmeKey Stakeholders Potential Benefits

County Solid waste is managed in a new manner that protects both public health and the environmentIncrease material reuse and recycling from all or most solid waste sources (vital for foreign revenue earnings)-increasing the life of landfill sites.Introducing new waste management methods that are environmentally protective and cost-effective for the consumer and the country as a whole. Building better sanitation standard which is vital for our flourishing tourism industry and general recognition of Guyana internationally.Reducing the amount of solid wastes generated through awareness programmesLess pressure on the national budget for the management of solid waste and issues of unhygienic activities.

Specific benefits of this new programmeKey Stakeholders Potential Benefits

Contractor Exposure to new waste management techniques/technologiesExemption of taxes on importation of machines/equipmentPotential for gas extraction, recycling, etc.

Access to local labour force

Accessibility to state land via lease and/or contractProviding affording services to local businesses and households

“Solid Waste Management: a good choice today for a healthier tomorrow”

Thank you!