(Stock Photo)

Today marks the official collaboration between the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill in the area of preservation and research of the environment.

This was signified through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two organisations, in the Jacqueline Wade Conference room of The UWI, this morning.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, Charley Browne, noted that the Environmental Protection Department had utilised the services of graduate students from the university to conduct research relevant to the work programme of the Department.

He revealed that it included investigations into contaminants of emerging concerns in groundwater aquifers, and coastal areas around Barbados, and the identification of sources of nitrate concentrations in Barbados’ public water supply and numerous geographical information systems.

Mr. Browne also highlighted that the work done through the collaboration has aided the EPD to meet legislative requirements stipulated in the Marine Pollution Control Act. “This is consistent with the department’s strategic plan to understand our environment, protect our environment and human health from sources of pollution, foster resource efficiency and organisational excellence and promote environmental stewardship,” he stated.

He stressed: “Through this memorandum of understanding, we establish a formal framework of cooperation activities, support the provision of data driven advice to decision makers based on sound scientific research, while providing learning opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students.”

According to Mr. Browne, the activities under the agreement will include environmental regulation, data analytics, information management, and information research, particularly the assessment and characterisation of environmental pollution, ecological systems, including air, ground water, rainwater, soil, flora and fauna.

Permanent Secretary Browne also took the opportunity to congratulate the teams from The UWI and the EPD for their work in developing this MOU and also the Solicitor General’s Chambers for the critical role they played as well.

Meanwhile, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of The UWI, Professor Clive Landis, in his remarks noted that it was a privilege to work with the EPD as knowledge generators, and as a research community, to analyse problems and deliver solutions on behalf of society to help safeguard the environment. He said their collaboration was rooted in the Barbados National Strategic Plan and the EPD’s Strategic Plan 2016-2025, as noted in the MOU.

He said the MOU signing provided “a much welcomed opportunity” to express thanks for the long-standing, harmonious relationship developed with the EPD, working together in a common quest to safeguard our environment.

“The environment is arguably Barbados’ most highly valued asset as a tourism dependent nation and we are well aware of the enormous responsibility that is placed on the EPD, as a regulatory agency, to ensure that Barbados is kept free of pollutants and hazards that could be harmful to our surroundings. We only have to look at media reports in the past week on the hazards presented by the sargassum accumulation on some of our beaches to understand the importance of the task,” said Professor Landis. 

The UWI Cave Hill and the EPD have been collaborating in environmental studies for over 10 years.

fabian.belgrave@barbados.gov.bb

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