epa

The Agency during an internal audit in January 2019, unearthed 481 Environmental Permit Holders who were non-compliant. The Agency under the astute guidance of Dr. Vincent Adams, Executive Director, derived a strategy to arrest this issue and reduce the threat to human health and the environment, as a result of such practices. The Agency commenced its investigation into the 481  non-compliant permit which included; publishing a public notice in the newspapers, as well as, its website and social media platforms, site visits and telephone calls. This rigorous and  strategic drive was a massive success, bringing 90% of defaulting Permit Holders into compliance in a mere 5 months. The Agency remains committed to sound Environmental Management and reminds the general public that, securing your Environmental Permits in the initial stages of your operation, is securing the future of your business and the health of the population.

The Agency expresses gratitude to the developers for their cooperation and reminds ALL permit holders to ensure they adhere to their permit conditions and have a valid  Environmental Permit at all times.

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05 Laws of Guyana, a permit holder should apply for renewable six (6) months prior to the expiration for their existing permit.

Environmental Officer attends United Nations Third Substantive Meeting-“Towards a Global Pact for the Environment” in Nairobi, Kenya

Environmental Officer, Mr. Dillon Charles along with Ambassador Troy Torrington from the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Multilateral & Global Affairs Department represented Guyana at the United Nations Third Substantive session of the ad-hoc open-ended working group meeting- “Towards a Global Pact for the Environment”. The event took place in Nairobi Kenya from May 19-23, 2019. This meeting convened the final working group session of three meetings.

The meeting explored options to address gaps in international environmental law and environment-related instruments. Discussions focused on appropriate, and, if deemed necessary, the scope, parameters and feasibility of an international instrument, with a view to making recommendations, which may include the convening of an intergovernmental conference to adopt an International instrument.

 

Guyana became a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on January 27, 2015. To date, Guyana has become increasingly more interested in the use of nuclear technology in various sectors. These include Health, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Water and Environment. This requires regulatory oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To improve the national regulatory capacity for the safe and secure use of nuclear technology in Guyana, the IAEA has partnered with the Government of Guyana to provide technical assistance.

Representative from the EPA attends COP Basel Convention

Senior Environmental Officer in the Waste Management Programme Area, Ms. Odessa Duncan attended the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Basel Convention held at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference was held from April 29 to May 10, 2019.

The Environmental Protection Agency is the focal Point and competent authority of the Convention which aims to control of trans boundary movement of hazardous waste and their disposal. The Agency’s participation at the meeting and therein election to serve as a member to the Implementation and Compliance Committee (ICC) for the Basel Convention, has positioned the Agency to better implement and be compliant with the convention.