Already discomforted at the idea of a waste treatment plant in their community, residents of Coverden, East Bank Demerara are dismayed that the operator of the agreement has been changed to a company whose expertise they are unsure of and have been protesting and raising concerns. To this end, a community meeting is set for the end of the month and residents also intend to seek legal advice.
This is despite assurances from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the new operator of the $214 million waste treatment plant, Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated (PWSI), has implemented improvements in processes and technology, aligning with the latest environmental best practices.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) announced on August 15 that the agreement for the waste treatment plant was formalized by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh and Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer Peter Ramsaroop. The plant is expected to create over 40 jobs and align with the government’s commitment to sustainable development, the release said. It added that Ramsaroop highlighted that the plant will use non-incinerator technology to process oil and gas waste, aiming to position Guyana as a leader in eco-friendly industrial practices.
However, Coverden resident Audreyanna Thomas has objected to the agreement especially in light of the fact that the agreement changed hands. Thomas has argued that when residents initially agreed to the project after concerns were allayed it was to be operated by Global Oil Environmental Services (GOES). Residents believed that GOES had the requisite expertise to operate the treatment plant in a manner that would not endanger their lives.
Giving a background to the agreement the EPA explained that GOES submitted an application for environmental authorization on February 16, 2021, to operate a waste management facility for oil and gas exploration and production wastes. After a thorough review, the EPA said, it determined that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was unnecessary, based on the project’s scope and potential impacts and announced this on March 21st, 2021, with 30 days public notice. This notice, it said, provided an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to appeal the decision to the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB).
Several appeals were filed, reflecting community concerns about the project’s environmental impact. In response to the appeals, the EAB held a public hearing on May 10, 2021, to address and evaluate the concerns raised. The hearing allowed affected individuals to present their views and for the EAB to assess the validity of the objections.
The EPA said that after reviewing the input from the hearing the EAB upheld its decision to forego an EIA. The EAB concluded that, with appropriate safeguards, the project would not present significant environmental risks. Consequently, GOES received environmental authorization for the facility, valid from August 2021 to July 2026.
However, in January 2023, GOES ceased operations and PWSI requested the transfer of environmental authorization. The EPA said it processed this request and issued a Transferred and Modified Environmental Permit to PWSI in July 2023. The new permit, it said, incorporated process and technology enhancements, while maintaining regulatory compliance.
The EPA said it ensured that the transfer adhered to environmental protection regulations. It added that although the facility’s ownership changed, PWSI implemented improvements in processes and technology, aligning with the latest environmental best practices.
It pointed out that its updated permit for PWSI includes strict conditions to regulate operations, focusing on air and water quality. The EPA said it will continue to monitor the facility to ensure it meets these high standards, safeguarding environmental and human health.
Joel Bhagwandin, Director at SphereX, the company that prepared the investment proposal submitted to the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) as part of the agreement between PWSI and the government, defended the project. According to Bhagwandin, PWSI acquired all necessary approvals and permits through proper channels, and the project adheres to the Environmental Protection Act and incorporates advanced technologies like the Thermal Desorption Unit (TDU) and a wet scrubber system. These technologies are designed to reduce environmental impacts and improve waste treatment efficiency. He also highlighted that the facility’s location, distanced from residential areas, and its measures for managing noise and air quality address many concerns.
Mahendra Jettoo, CEO of PWSI, has denied allegations that environmental assessments or community consultations were neglected. Jettoo has asserted that all necessary requirements were met and that the EPA and Ministry of Housing had approved the project. He emphasized PWSI’s commitment to regulatory compliance and local job creation.
Meanwhile, Thomas at a press conference on August 21,2024 said there remained deep concerns over the waste treatment plant in Coverden, She was joined by four other residents and they indicated that they are troubled by the fact that PWSI, in their opinion, lacks experience in managing oil and gas waste or operating similar facilities. Their apprehension is heightened by the revelation that Jettoo, who previously leased property to GOES and Japarts Guyana, is now at the helm of this project.
According to Thomas, GOES’s operation was to be a joint venture with Japarts Guyana, and residents had acquiesced because of GOES’s extensive experience and the EPA’s role in oversight. However, PWSI, which had not yet been established at the time, was not part of this approval.
Therefore, residents are calling for clarity on the approval process the EPA followed for PWSI to operate an oil and gas waste treatment facility; the procedures GO-Invest used to allocate $214 million to PWSI for this project; and the lack of consultation with Coverden residents on PWSI establishing the facility.
Moreover, she said in a press statement, residents still believe that the EPA should have mandated an EIA or environmental management plan regardless of which company was going to run the facility.
Residents are firmly opposed to the facility, citing its misalignment with the community’s focus on cultural heritage, eco-tourism, agriculture, and semi-industrial development. They argue that the investment should align with their core business areas rather than introducing a potentially hazardous waste treatment plant.
Coverden will hold a community meeting on August 31, 2024, at 14:00 hrs to discuss these issues further. Plans for protests outside the PWSI facility are also underway, alongside efforts to seek legal advice regarding the roles of PWSI, Go-Invest, and the EPA.
