-company says waste released after truck got stuck
Residents of Bartica last week said that a waste management firm dumped sewage in the community but the company said that its truck got stuck in a sandy path and the driver and porters released some of the waste, without the knowledge of management, to lighten the weight of the vehicle so that it could move.
According to a press release sent out by The Bartica Development Action Group (BDAG), Countrywide Disposal Services (CDS), contracted to empty septic tanks into their disposal trucks had been discarding the contents of the trucks onto the parapet of the Bartica-Potaro road, a mere 20 feet from the road itself for a week. The release also stated that the trucks were dumping the waste in the centre of a foot path used by Bartica Hospital staff, in front of the Bartica Airstrip and into a creek. The BDAG stated that these revelations came to light after many residents called complaining about the “dismal act.”
When Stabroek News contacted Trevor Clarke, Proprietor of CDS, he stated that it was impossible for this to have been going on for a week as claimed by the BDAG since Saturday, 20th October was the first and only day the firm operated in Bartica. He further stated that when reports of the dumping were received all operations were halted and a meeting was scheduled with the IMC Chairman, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) as well as the Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Monday 22nd October.
BDAG members stated that they raised the matter of the dumping during a meeting with the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of Bartica and the Public Health Inspector for Bartica. According to the press release, IMC Chairman, Ovid Benjamin said that permission was granted to the disposal service to operate in Bartica but he denied any involvement in deciding where the waste would be dumped. The Public Health Inspector, on the other hand, disclosed that a representative from the company had made contact with her several months ago and had proposed the village of Agatash as a dump site. She stated that the proposal was immediately rejected and that no subsequent discussions were held until after the company had commenced operations in Bartica. The BDAG release went on to state that upon inquiry, the manager for the company claimed to have received permission to collect and dispose of the fecal matter in these exact locations from the IMC.
Clarke argued that the allegations being made by the BDAG are simply not true. He stated that permission was indeed never granted for dumping in Bartica, nor was there any intention on the part of his company to dump in any of these locations. He stated that all trucks operating in Bartica were instructed to return to Georgetown where they would offload the contents of the tanks in the Guyana Water Incorporated- approved facility.
He did admit that two Saturdays ago one of the company’s trucks became stuck as it was navigating a very sandy path. According to Clarke, the driver and porters of that truck, unknowing to management, and in an effort to make it lighter, proceeded to dispose of some of the sewage into the surrounding area.
Clarke said that during the meeting held on October 22nd, the unfortunate event that occurred on the 20th was explained to the IMC. He also revealed his company’s decision to suspend all operations in Bartica until a suitable dumping location is selected in Bartica. He stated that because of the distance and the mode of transportation required, transferring the trucks’ cargo back to the city for offloading was a painstaking task. However, he said that the company had been willing to undertake the effort because “the people really seemed to be happy about us providing the service”.
He suggested that his company was a casualty of ongoing clashes between the Bartica IMC and community groups.
