Government Invests Heavily to Increase Capacity of NSWMA

The Government has been steadily and consistently investing in the capacity of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to improve garbage collection islandwide and maintain a clean and sustainable environment.

Since 2016, the Administration has spent billions of dollars to purchase 165 new garbage trucks, which have been added to the agency’s fleet to enhance waste management in communities.

The Government has also commenced the transitioning of workers into 3,813 new permanent positions.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the Government is making the capital investment to enable the NSWMA to deliver quality service.

“In 2016 when we just took over, we were able to do four garbage trucks. In 2017, we were able to do 13 garbage trucks; in 2018, we did 17 garbage trucks; in 2019, we did 11 garbage trucks, steadily investing and renewing the fleet, which was not significant, was old, and could not provide the service that we need,” he noted.

“Even during the (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, we were still able to invest in our fleet. We bought 20 new garbage trucks. In 2022, we made our largest acquisition yet with 50 new garbage trucks and now we proudly add another 50 new garbage trucks, bringing the fleet to 165 new trucks. That’s the largest number of new equipment that has ever been added to the fleet of the NSWMA,” Prime Minister Holness pointed out at the handover ceremony in June last year.

Dr. Holness said the Government has been effective and disciplined in managing the affairs of the country and positioning it for economic growth.

“As the economy continues to be stable and as it continues to grow, we’re going to make a priority of allocating the dividends of that growth to ensuring that we have the capabilities of keeping our municipalities, our townships, keeping your roads, your beaches, your parks, your markets clean. What you’re seeing here is a significant investment in keeping Jamaica clean,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the improved fleet will enable the Authority to expand its waste separation initiative.

“This new addition of equipment will increase the service quality and capability of the NSWMA. So, we can now tackle bulky waste, we can now go into communities that previously we could not access because of the size of the roadways. We can now transport heavier loads and bulkier waste, but it gives us another capability of expanding our waste separation initiative,” he shared.

Dr. Holness said the aim is to implement the waste separation programme to other communities across the island.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the Government is taking a strategic approach to support the proper disposal of waste.

“We have taken very progressive steps in dealing with plastics. We have implemented a ban on single-use plastics. We have instituted a programme for the collection of plastic bottles around the country and now with the increased capability of the NSWMA, they can now collect several tonnes using their tipper trucks and using their cranes. So if you separate, the NSWMA will be able to collect it; that’s the idea,” he said.

He added that the long-term solution is to have the entire garbage collection service properly contracted out in a public-private partnership arrangement. “That is being worked on… and should come to fruition very soon,” Dr. Holness said.

The Government has also announced plans to mandate plastic separation and recycling by all ministries, departments, agencies and statutory bodies as part of the management of solid waste. Legislation is being developed and will be brought to Parliament to support the new policy.

Members of the NSWMA team are thankful for the new vehicles that the entity has acquired to bolster its vehicular fleet.

Driver, Gavin Lislett (SPM Limited), who has been employed to the entity for nine years, said the acquisition will improve the collection of garbage in the region he’s assigned.

“I’m excited on this move, because in the region that I work, we really have a garbage collection problem, especially with the trucks, so it’s a good move for the government as well as the community in general,” he said.

Employee of the NSWMA, Neil Crichton (WPM Limited), said the units will assist in improving the entity’s collection system in communities.

“We glad fi the new trucks and the fleet will be better and we a beg Jamaicans to separate [their] garbage. Mek we start the game like the big countries,” Mr. Crichton said.

Driver, Lenroy Murray, who hails from St. James, has been attached to the organisation for more than a year.

“What’s going on here is pretty nice. I like it. [The] trucks are fully equipped [and] will improve [my work greatly] because they have more space. [So] instead of making three trips per day, this can be [reduced] to one or two, depending on the amount of garbage we have to get,” he added.

Bikers Team Leader in the Enforcement Department, Yolanda Reid, said the addition will greatly impact their work and the citizens of Jamaica.

She expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and NSWMA for acquiring the trucks and motorcycles.

“The Enforcement Department comes under a lot of target daily, and with these bikes, it only pushes us to go about our usual duties and implement the National Solid Waste Act 2001. Anybody who decides to break the law under the National Solid Waste Act 2001, the Enforcement Team [will be] out [and will do all in our power to apprehend those culpable],” she warned.

Chairman, NSWMA, Owen Ellington, said the Authority may possibly be in its best shape ever.

He informed that the deployment of the equipment has been done based on the most careful and objective assessment of needs across the various regions.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the Administration will continue to make the necessary investment to bolster the work of the agency.

“Over the years, we have seen significant improvements in the work of the organisation, and this Government will continue to provide the support that is needed to make the entity work. Never before in its history has so much been invested, not just in equipment but in the human resources of the organisation,” he noted.

In the meantime, the Government commenced the transitioning of workers at the NSWMA and its four regional branches into 3,813 new permanent positions last year.

This exercise, which includes drivers, sanitation officers and operational staff, marks a significant step in enhancing the stability and efficiency of solid waste management services across the country, said Executive Director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon.

Sanitation worker, Ian Rowe, said he was happy to receive his letter of permanent employment.

“I feel so good. Since I got the call, I am feeling so happy. I love my job and I am doing my best to take it to another level,” he said.

Truck driver, Deon Griffiths, also expressed gratitude. “It is a great feeling and I will continue to do my work with excellence,” he said.

The NSWMA is an agency of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development that provides solid waste management services to safeguard public health, while helping to create an environment that is healthy and aesthetically pleasing for both residents and visitors to enjoy.