Advocating for Assistance from IDB and PAHO/WHO to Develop an Oil and Gas Waste Management Master Plan for Guyana

Dear Editor,

I write this letter with the hope to get the attention of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and other similar international organisations. There is need in Guyana for an ‘Oil and Gas Waste Management Master Plan’.

While there are specific problems of placing oil and gas waste treatment facilities without the requisite expertise and competencies to safely manage these facilities in communities, and protection for citizens’ health and wellbeing, livelihoods, and the environment – air, soil, eater; there is a broader problem of the absence of a national policy, strategy and plan for oil and gas waste management.

We believe that your organisations can provide significant support to the government and people of Guyana in the development of an ‘Oil and Gas Waste Management Master Plan’.

At the national level this can assist the government and the people of Guyana to achieve targets in Goals 3 and 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More specifically, SDG Goal 3 – ‘Good Health and Wellbeing – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages’. Target 3.9 of SDG Goal 3 indicates that by 2030, countries must substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination’.

In addition, Goal 6 – ‘Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all’. Goal 6 – Target 6.3 which indicates that ‘By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally’. Also, Target 6.6 which states ‘By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes.

I am aware that the request has to come from the government, but I am establishing the need and hope that the government will follow through with the request in the name of love for its citizens. This will also allow the government and country to measure progress under these goals.

Yours truly,
Citizen Audreyanna Thomas
Resident, Coverden, East Bank, Demerara