Tuesday, August 31 2010

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RECYCLE TALKS: Energy Minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan (seated) listens as a man (right) makes a contribution at a budget consultation held last week...

ENERGY and Energy Affairs Minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan has urged business owners and entrepreneurs to consider innovative ways of addressing issues of increasing glass, plastic and rubber waste in San Fernando and across the country.

The call came in response to proposals arising during a budget consultation hosted for constituents of San Fernando West, of which the minister is parliamentary representative.

The consultation was held at the San Fernando City Hall Auditorium last Friday.

Constituents put forward verbal and written proposals for the development of the San Fernando West constituency and out of those proposals were suggestions for recycling to be nurtured to grow as an industry and also to protect the communities from susceptibility to flooding and health risks.

“I am encouraged that among the proposals are issues of recycling. In San Fernando and across the country, we have a growing concern with landfills being maxed out and now, plastics, glass and old car tyres are making its way into open fields and rivers.

“The impact of such issues being left unattended was displayed dramatically recently with the unprecedented flooding here and across the country. These also create health concerns with an accumulation of water and with the increase in dengue cases, we all have an important role to play in protecting ourselves from risks,” Seepersad-Bachan said.

“In order to address that and also create new industries and job opportunities, businesses need to be more innovative and perhaps look toward establishment of rubber recycling. Use these old tyres as stock for an array of new rubber products,” the minister said.

“Also in recycling, we recognise that the situation has now become urgent in terms of the disposal of glass and plastic bottles and containers. And I am happy that there is interest for cooperation from the business community to establish collection points where bins can be placed to collect used glass and plastics and channel them to plants where they can be recycled into new products.”

The minister also assured concerned constituents that in addition to these commerce and employment generating possibilities, infrastructural development projects will continue and that the San Fernando Waterfront project will move forward to enhance commercial opportunities in the nation’s second capital city.

Arising out of the consultation was also a call by constituents for increased training and skills development in the southern constituency, more in line with the demands of current and emerging job markets. Business owners along High Street in San Fernando called on the minister to push forward with plans for providing more parking facilities, to ease traffic congestion and also boost trade and commerce in the bustling commercial district.

The minister agreed that the proposals would be put forward for consideration in the national budget and also assured constituents that she would “walk the proposals through” to ensure they are taken forward. Also attending the consultation were Deputy Mayor of San Fernando Dr Navi Muradali and Local Government councillors Errol Sinanan and Daren McLeod.