MOA Signed between MALF and SANITEC Limited

MOA Signed between MALF and SANITEC Limited

Earlier today (Tuesday 9th November, 2021), the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) and SANITEC Limited (SANITEC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enter into a strategic partnership for the development of the former site of the National Animal Disease Centre (NADC), as part of the transformation and modernisation of the facility located in Centeno.

Furthermore, SANITEC will establish a Decontamination and Disposal Facility at NADC, provide technical support for the improvement in laboratory services and for the reduction of untreated hazardous waste entering the county’s landfills; as well as a lay down for any heavy equipment, trucks and other machinery which is required in case of national/large scale emergency.

The Company will also be granted the use of the land by MALF to access certain infrastructure of the NADC site for a term of ten (10) years with a review of the third (3rd), sixth (6th) and ninth (9th) year with the option for an extension of this MOA for a further five (5) years, the terms and conditions of which are subject to the approval of Cabinet, for the purpose of operationalisation of the said services.

The intended benefits to be derived from the partnership by MALF include:

a) The NADC site will become habitable and occupied once again by staff of both the MALF and SANITEC.

b) The installation of perimeter lighting and security camera system to assist in securing the premises.

c) Reduction in expenditure for sanitisation and incineration services.

d) The existing roof of the stables to the foreground will be repaired and the general stables upgraded with an office area and improved lighting.

e) All stables in the foreground and background along with the attached housing will be repainted and sanitised.

f) Training in infection Prevention & Control (IPC) to MALF Personnel via structured workshops will be held semi-annually.

g) Routine ground maintenance of the location including foreground to the Caroni South Bank Road for both MALF and SANITEC.

Under the present arrangement, SANITEC has committed to finance the upgrade of the NADC site and has also given the assurance of handling  MALF’s waste material and will provide free sanitisation of the Ministry’s buildings/offices as part of its obligations under the MOA.

The MOA was signed by Ms. Susan Shurland, Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and Mr. Abhishek Ramsahai, Managing Director of SANITEC.

Also present were, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Mr. Dominic Hinds, Manager of Corporate Communications at MALF and other representatives from SANITEC.