Dear Editor,
It is the constitutional right of every Guyanese to an environment that is safe and healthy. Sadly, telecommunication giant, GTT, does not understand this bit of legislation as thick smoke and noise are spewed from its generators, which are conveniently positioned towards the residents of Hadfield Street, Wortmanville Georgetown within the vicinity of the GGMC, Ministry of Health and the National Aids Programme Secretariat.
Dating August, 2021 GTT started its daily abuse by running its generators during the hours of 5pm to 9pm, Sundays included. Several reports to GTT, using their operator numbers, yielded no relief, hence, the decision to make a formal complaint to the EPA which also required a few attempts. Circa early October, 2021 a team from the EPA was dispatched and the situation documented. Though residents were assured that action would be taken against the offender, there has been no relief to date. Residents were forced to push through the holidays with GTT’s generators right by their side, maybe the officials considered this to be a new addition to their popular jingle and song competition.
No action spanning five (5) months has forced the penning of this letter as residents are now exposed to this abuse in excess of 24 hours. Readers cannot begin to imagine what this level of prolonged noise exposure and smoke inhalation can do to the psychological and physical health of residents in Hadfield Street, particularly the elderly and infants. We are therefore pleading with the EPA to intervene in this clear trampling of our constitutional rights, we have suffered long enough! Certainly, the monopolized giant can invest in 21st century technology that reduces its impact on the environment and its residents. As government officials tout its national beautification activities, I hope this matter is not brushed under the mat, after all, the environment needs to be peaceful as it is beautiful to the eyes.
Sincerely,
Tired Residents of Hadfield Street
