The Coil: Styrofoam Democracy

by Vidya Kissoon
Successive governments of Guyana have banned things with interesting results. The ban on roti, dhal and alloo chokha resulted in the beginning of the underground smuggling routes (and development of Crabwood Creek? ) instead of a shift in the local palate to soft cassava bread, locally grown pigeon peas stew and sweet potato chokha.
The ban on cocaine and marijuana that was inherited from the 28 years of PNC rule  is not working – marijuana is reportedly even present in the prisons and Guyanese ingenuity and innovation are exemplary in the ways in which cocaine is smuggled.
The ban on Styrofoam is another example  our democracy in action. Here is the History of the Styrofoam Ban in Guyana.

2012
June	The intention to Ban on Styrofoam is announced. It makes international news
2013
August	No banning, but heavy taxing proposed, also making international news.
September	Inews (which is not influenced by anyone related to anyone who has anything to do with the ban says that 91% of persons in a poll they conducted are in favour of banning. (which is more than the majority in Parliament).
October	APNU has a press conference about its commitment to environmental sustainability. Nothing is mentioned about Styrofoam. In its response, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment stated that “ the Ministry has spearheaded the preparation of proposals on mechanisms to reduce the use on non-biodegradable packaging (plastics & Styrofoam) in Guyana through Economic Incentives and Disincentives Wastes Policies and on the Implementation of Wastes Policies mechanisms for Reduction in use of Non-Biodegradable Packaging (plastics & Styrofoam”
November	There is a stakeholder consultation on Styrofoam. The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, is leading the consultations. The Ban Date is announced as June 1 2014
2014
June	Somebody remembered to ask about the Styrofoam Ban and there is an article that the Ban has been put on hold even though 91% of the people seem to want it. There was not enough awareness and maybe those 91% are not selling Styrofoam or food in Styrofoam.
July	Amidst accusations that the ban has been postponed indefinitely, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, the man of the Ban, Robert Persaud says that the date of the ban has changed to a date to be announced later, but not postponed indefinitely.
November	Georgetown Town Clerk, Ms Carol Sooba says Ban Styrofoam Now! But the PPP Government does not bother with her, or is it a sign that the Ban Man is not in tune with the local Government man?
2015
March	Nothing more about Styrofoam Ban. None of the political parties talking about Styrofoam Ban. One party talking about the roti, dhal and aloo chokha ban.
May	It is time to build a better Guyana. People vote
June	Three years after the ban was announced and two years after the announced ban date and one year after the ban was postponed to a date which is still to be announced, all the people who voted for change and all the people who voted to build a better Guyana will stop throwing Styrofoam in the drains and stop burning Styrofoam and will stop using Styrofoam generally. There is no need to Ban Styrofoam.

Why wasn’t the Styrofoam ban imposed even though the majority of the  citizens seemed to want it according to the news poll of the agency which is not connected to the anybody who has to make the decision about banning? Was this a case where the majority wanted change and the Minister Robert Persaud feared to push for that change and supported the minority ? Is there hope then for other minority issues like gay rights and not beating children?
Were there other consultations which were not reported ? Were there fears that Styrofoam smugglers would corrupt the incorruptible and that instead of the Styrofoam floating in the canals being a sign of progress , the Styrofoam floating in canals would be a sign of Protest? Why wasn’t Ms Sooba’s call answered? Why  hasn’t Minister Robert Persaud talked more about the “ proposals on mechanisms to reduce the use on non-biodegradable packaging (plastics & Styrofoam) in Guyana through Economic Incentives and Disincentives Wastes Policies and on the Implementation of Wastes Policies mechanisms for Reduction in use of Non-Biodegradable Packaging (plastics & Styrofoam”  on the political meetings? Is it that these words are too much for Minister Persaud or  any of the other politicians who are talking on the podium?
Does any of this matter?