Italian gov’t gives US$650,000 grant for Bartica ‘green town’ project

The government has received a grant of US$650,000 from the Government of Italy to support Bartica’s model ‘green town’ project and Mayor Gifford Marshall says it will go a long way in educating members of the public about greening and their role in the process.

The Ministry of the Presidency made the announcement in a press statement last evening, while the project is set to be officially launched tomorrow in Bartica.

The statement said that the primary objective of the grant is to establish a reliable point of reference for the existing state of energy use in Bartica. The data generated from this, it added, will be used for future measurements and predictions for evidence-based decision-making and the pursuit of projects and programmes.

“Bartica has been designated the model town for ‘Green’ Initiatives. This project is, therefore, located within the agenda of the Green Economy Framework [in line with] Guyana’s overarching sustainable development architecture,” the statement added.

It said that in keeping with the desired agenda, activities undertaken will include sensitisation and awareness campaigns for Bartica’s citizenry, a household baseline survey study, energy audits of public institutions, and a transportation sector energy audit.

These efforts, the statement added, are being facilitated by the Office of Climate Change, which falls under the purview of the ministry, in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre.

In an invited comment, Marshall expressed his elation at the award of the grant, while noting that his office is looking forward to making Bartica Guyana’s green capital. The grant, he said, is significant as it will contribute meaningfully to the development of the town.

Marshall explained that the funding will cover sensitisation, which is very important because “persons are still to familiarising themselves with what greening is all about and so we know that with this funding persons will become very knowledgeable.”

“We are grateful for the contribution and efforts of central government and we believe with their continued support we will achieve our objectives at the soonest,” he said.

Town Clerk Phoebe Wallerson told this newspaper that the grant came at the right time and is relevant now because “we have to fill the gap where education and awareness are concerned, with respect to greening,”