Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, yesterday, said that the Government of Guyana is committed to seeing the town of Bartica become a model of ‘green’ development, not only in Guyana but the entire Caribbean region as he launched a US$650,000. The project is aimed at establishing a reliable point of reference for the existing state of energy use in Bartica, according to the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP).
According to the MOTP, the financing was received from the Government of Italy in support of the Model ‘Green’ Town, Bartica Project. The data generated from this pilot will be used for future measurements and predictions for evidence-based decision-making and pursuance of projects and programmes.
The project will be divided into two phases: In phase one, which is expected to last an average of 12 months, all the energy audits will be completed, public awareness exercises completed and energy data management centre established. To the degree possible, some small-scale pilots/demonstrations will commence. In phase 2, the information gathered will be utilised to undertake the demonstration projects and scale up, where possible.
Minister Harmon, who delivered the feature address at the launching ceremony held, earlier yesterday, outside the Mayor and Town Council of Bartica, said that the project is a demonstration of the Government’s continuing efforts towards the achievement of the vision of becoming a green state. This, he said is being done through the design and implementation of innovative solutions, first in Bartica, for equitable and inclusive social and economic development and utilisation of the country’s natural capital.
“Bartica must lead the way as a model town in areas of alternative energy including solar, wind and hydropower, solid waste management and economic diversification. It is our vision that this community will serve as an example to other towns and regions across the country. Bartica will be a microcosm of what greening is, not only in Guyana but the entire region. So as a Government, the President has committed that political will to the development of what is taking place and so Bartica will continue to see this type of development,” Minister Harmon said.
The conceptual Green Bartica Development and Land Use Plan, Minister Harmon said, provides for two inter-related actions; the modernisation and industrialisation of Bartica, which must be driven by reliable and clean sources of energy, according to MOTP.
“When we speak of modernisation we envision retrofitting current investments to meet green economy standards and climate-proofing all investments carried out, within the framework of sustainable urban planning and management, which promotes interconnected green spaces, multiple transportation systems and mixed use development,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Bartica, Mr. Gifford Marshall, in his remarks, said that the Town has noted the Government’s drive and fully throws its support behind the pursuit of a ‘green’ town and ‘green’ agenda. He noted that as the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change and global warming, it is the duty of every individual to play a role in the mitigation and adaptation efforts.
