Georgetown: The Government in 2017 has plans to embark on an aggressive, nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at sensitising and educating citizens on the inculcation of proper waste management habits.
The campaign is part of a broader approach to reeducate the nation on a National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy (NSWMS) particularly in relation to waste management, separation and recycling.
Government also proposes to utilise various forums to facilitate sensitisation sessions with groups in furtherance of its agenda to promote a new generation of citizens equipped with the requisite knowledge of proper solid waste management and incorporate the waste management crusade into regular community programs such as sports, festivals, camps etc.
This is in an effort to focus on the preservation and protection of the environment and improving public health protection.
The nationwide public relations campaign will seek to effect behavioural change in the populace.
Having already placed emphasis on the schools, the wider public will be targeted for education in proper solid waste disposal practices, including the separation of organic from inorganic; litter and waste reduction principles.
During the budget presentation, Finance Minister Winston Jordan noted that the Government has allocated $338 million for the design and construction of new sanitary landfill sites in Bartica and Linden.
This is in order to minimise the public health hazards that have surfaced as a result of improper waste dumping.
In addition, landfill sites at Belle Vue, Lusignan, Lethem, and Mabaruma, will be upgraded, while a new temporary holding area at the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill will be created.
“Further, to maintain the aesthetics of our communities, we have allocated a sum of $150 million for the Community Organised for Restoring the Environment (CORE) programme, which will employ 20 small community groups throughout the country to undertake upgrading, refurbishment, rehabilitation, and beautification of the immediate and contiguous areas of public works sites.
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