Gov’t to Increase Penalties for Littering

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, said a resolution will be brought to the House shortly, to amend the monetary penalties associated with littering in public places.

“For too long, our citizens have been careless in the way they dispose of their waste. We have all seen Jamaicans from every walk of life throwing garbage from car windows, at the side of the road and into gullies and rivers. These practices make the job of garbage collection much more difficult, lengthy and expensive, as well as presenting a public health hazard,” he said.

The Minister was making his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 22.

He further noted that discussions are underway regarding how his Ministry can support and expand the ‘Nuh Dutty up Jamaica’ campaign, which is being spearheaded by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), with funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

“We must change the way Jamaicans regard garbage as we seek to change behaviour. We cannot continue to compromise the health of our citizens, put life and property at risk when drains are blocked because of irresponsible disposal of garbage, threaten our tourism product, and discourage investors with our dirty streets and cities,” Minister Arscott said.