US$1.6M project: Several municipal markets to be rehabilitated

Minister WhittakerGeorgetown: In March, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the India Brazil South Africa Project,(IBSA) paving the way for several developmental projects to be undertaken through Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs)  and municipalities around the country.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker announced that out of the US$1.6 million project, several municipal markets will see rehabilitation while others will have much needed facilities added to them.

This initiative which falls under the Guyana Solid Waste Management Improvement Project, the Minister said shows clearly the government’s commitment towards improving the quality of life for all Guyanese.

“We are not just limiting ourselves with the fund from our national budget; we are looking at other options for improving our country and its sanitation and improving the environment.”

According to the Minister, this project is aimed at among other things, strengthening the capacity of municipal and local government bodies to improve solid waste management and to create great awareness among the public about solid waste management.

Some of the municipalities and NDCs which will be benefiting from this project includes Anna Regina. “Anna Regina will benefit from US$16,000, for the provision of bins and repairs to market infrastructure.”

The Rosignol, New Amsterdam, Linden and Lethem NDCs will also benefit from rehabilitation works to market facilities.

In addition, a US$72,000 tarmac is also in the pipe line for Annandale, East Coast Demerara along with washroom facilities. Sanitary blocks are to be put in at the Grove/Diamond Market area, as well as a chain link fence for the tarmac.

Sanitary facilities are to be installed at the Haslington and Beterverwagting market tarmacs.

“Most of the money will be used to provide marketing facilities, in the form of tarmacs where they do not exist, rehabilitation where there is the need, and to provide facilities, we aim to improve these facilities so that we can encourage vendors to utilise them,” he stated.

Already, tenders have been advertised, bids submitted and opened, and are currently being evaluated for these projects.

Further with the aim of strengthening capacity at the NDC and Municipality level the Minister said a series of cluster meetings will be held over the next few weeks. These will see engagements with the Ministry, Chairpersons of NDCs, Overseers, Superintendents of Work and the Environmental Health Officers.

The first meeting will be held on Wednesday at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground and will see representatives from the NDCs of Region Two, Three and Seven meeting to discuss a range of issues such as proper accountability, planning, and execution, solid waste management among others.

“Among the areas of focus will be finance because for us it is important that we account for the funding that we get from government and the tax payers.”

In addition, a senior representative from the Guyana Power and Light Inc.,  has been invited to attend the meetings with the aim of discussing NDCs indebtedness to the utility company.

Meetings have been scheduled for all of the other administrative regions over the next few weeks.