Months after still waiting on EPA’s response
Mar 06, 2025
Dear Editor,
On the 22nd of November 2024 I sent an email as advised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting two (2) documents related to the Gas to Energy project (GtE).
- The Feasibility Study for Associated Gas as required in 2016 PSA Section 12.
- The updated EIA/ESIA for GtE Pipeline as required in Section 4 of the GtE Environmental Permit.
To date I have not received an acknowledgement of my written request. I know my email was received by the EPA as on the many times I contacted them by telephone, to follow up on the status of my request, they always checked to see if in fact my email had been sent.
The last time I called the EPA on this matter, more than three weeks ago, four of their listed telephone numbers when dialed had a recording which said this number is not listed in any directory. The only number which is working was their hotline/emergency number. During my repeated attempts to contact the EPA on this issue, this same recording message was heard often on all of the EPA numbers, this was especially true during the seepage of an unknown substance in houses on the West Coast of Demerara when the EPA themselves reported that none of their numbers had been working for 2 weeks.
Each time I contacted the EPA after November 22, 2024. I was always told the same thing they would be in touch, but more than 3 months has passed, and it seems clear to me that I may have little chance of ever receiving these documents or being given an explanation as to why not.
All Guyanese who are to ‘benefit’ from the GtE project are stakeholders and as such have a right to access this information. The EPA as the regulatory agency should be facilitating the right to information not ignoring or impeding requests. I wish to remind the EPA that they should also be guided by fundamental rights of Guyanese citizens as set out in our Constitution including:
* Article 149 which guarantees Guyanese the Right to a Safe & Healthy Environment, Article 146 which guarantees freedom of Expression – No person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of participating in the management and decision-making processes of the State.”
And Constitutional guarantees are provided for violation of such rights. Article 25 which says it is the duty of citizens to participate in activities for the improvement of the environment & to protect the health of all Guyanese. Article 13 which states: “The principal objective of State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations, in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas that directly affect their well-being.
Additionally, the Escazu agreement signed & ratified by Guyana guarantees the right to access environmental information, right to public participation in environmental matters, right to a healthy environment, a safe and enabling environment for environmental defenders, free from threats, restrictions, and the protection and promotion of environmental defenders in environmental matters.
In closing I hope the Environmental Protection Agency will answer my request or give an explanation as to why I have been unable to access these documents. I also recommend the following:
- Publicize on the EPA website all environmental permits, feasibility studies and other relevant documents.
- Ensure that there are full comprehensive ongoing people friendly accessible consultation for communities and the Guyanese public on onshore projects and facilities, with full disclosure of hazard and potential hazards etc.
- Ensure that access to the EPA is always available by telephone, ensuring environmental protection, especially in the face of environmental threats and risks.
- Treating environmentalist and civil society environmental defenders with regard and engage constructively and respectfully with them and pay attention to their requests, informed recommendations and expertise.
Yours sincerely,
Danuta Radzik
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