Dear Editor,
For years my health has been besieged by excessive levels of air pollution which I relayed often to the relevant apathetic authorities, namely the EPA and NDC with responsibility for the village of Lusignan. The last time I publicized my dilemma via the media a flurry of activities from the two followed in the form of lip service, letters and empty promises
Due to the non-existence of zoning and regulations in our society many business outfits such as chicken farms, fish factories, mechanic shops, rum shops, etc, are allowed to flourish in ‘residential’ neighbourhoods, without being required to install the necessary equipment and changes to reduce excessive levels of pollution and discomfort to those nearby. While this is the norm ‒ but noticeably absent in the posh areas ‒ I was assured that help was forthcoming in my case. A VIP at the Ministry of Communities said that certain minor changes would be made by the business owner (my neighbour) and monitored by the NDC. I also received a letter, which I still have, from a director at the EPA about the same measures to be implemented by the owner, specifically the installation of a chimney higher than the nearest building so that the overwhelmingly pungent, noxious fumes that emanate from next door and saturate my living space can seek another outlet that is less damaging.
After many months the recommendations made by the authority figures were ignored as usual, and only one ‘little step’ was taken. When I contacted the NDC I never received a reply, which is the norm, and the officials at the EPA stated that this matter is not their ‘business’ but that of the NDC. Well, if it was not the EPA’s ‘business’ in the first place why was I sent letters acknowledging the issue and my neighbour visited numerous times by them with verbal advisories? Given the lack of consideration, empathy and ingrained misogyny by the polluter these polite chit-chats were a waste of time, gasoline and synonymous to throwing water on duck’s back. Is the clean and green slogan just for a few, and while some boast about Guyana being the lungs of the world, what about the lungs of the ordinary citizens in the country? Each life should matter.
I have suffered daily preventable health issues (headaches, allergic rhinitis and other respiratory conditions) because of this hazard, and my quality of life has been drastically reduced. Unlike other forms of pollution how can I clean the air that I breathe when others are polluting it? I do not have a choice about my lungs being assaulted by toxins and the so-called environmentalist that we have should ‘google’ air pollution to learn about its impact on the environment and health of people. From my interactions with the sanitation officials and environmentalists I have often felt that I have discovered an unknown phenomenon. If the relevant officials cannot effectively deal with the average Joe, what monitoring can the people expect with the powerful mining, logging and oil companies that can have a catastrophic impact on the environment if left unchecked?
I am once again appealing to the officials of the EPA and NDC/Ministry of Communities to please ensure that the business owner in question implements the reasonable changes to his setup that you outlined. As a citizen of this country don’t I have the right to live in a heathy, clean environment that does not pose a threat to my health? I believe the following clause from the Constitution of Guyana substantiates my humble request: “149J. (1) Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to his or her health or well-being”.
Yours faithfully,
Narissa Deokarran
