Garbage Collection to be Privatised

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the administration remains committed to privatising garbage collection and disposal operations being carried out by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

This, he says, would include the management of state-run disposal sites, such as Riverton City in Kingston and Retirement in St. James.

Addressing journalists  on September 16 after touring sections of Marcus Garvey Drive which were flooded on September 9, Mr. McKenzie said this would enable the NSWMA to “return to its core function as the regulatory arm” for solid waste management.

Mr. McKenzie said Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, “will shortly be making some very significant announcements as it relates to that.”

Meanwhile, the Minister advised that additional garbage trucks are expected to arrive by year-end into early 2017, with more to be acquired thereafter.

Acknowledging the shortage of units within the NSWMA’s fleet, Mr. McKenzie indicated that instructions have been given for private trucks to be hired to assist where the need is identified islandwide.

The Minister pointed out that problems which arose with garbage collection and disposal in St. Elizabeth and Manchester have been addressed, as private trucks were brought into the system.