Gov’t Committed to Efficient Garbage Collection Service – PM

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is committed to ensuring there is an efficient waste management and garbage collection service in all communities.

He said this is critical to prevent garbage build-up, which leads to breeding of disease-carrying vectors, such as mosquitoes and rodents.

Mr. Holness was addressing a gathering at the Olympic Gardens Civic Centre in his West Central St. Andrew constituency on June 10, to kick-start clean-up activities in the area.

The five-day exercise forms part of a national clean-up programme being spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

The programme is being administered through a national inter-ministerial task force, established by the Prime Minister and comprised of technical and management staff of the Ministry, the Ministry of Health, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the Social Development Commission, and the National Works Agency.

Residents in West Central St. Andrew are the first to benefit from the programme in the Corporate Area, which includes the removal of garbage and bulk waste, such as old cars, furniture and appliances, and the sensitisation of citizens on issues, including the Zika virus.

Mr. Holness said the clean-up programme is part of strategies to change how waste disposal is handled.

“We want to mark it as a new day in Jamaica; that we are changing the way in which we dispose of waste. Not just because we want cleanliness and an aesthetically appealing environment, but also for our health,” he emphasised.

The Prime Minister further reiterated the call for Jamaicans to rid their environment of mosquito breeding sites.

“It is very important that each and every Jamaican take the protection of their health as their personal responsibility. Look around your house, see what might be collecting water and take the necessary steps to ensure no mosquitos are breeding,” he urged.

Hon. Desmond McKenzie

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, urged residents to support the initiative.

“We all know the threat of the mosquito that we have to be fighting and it is important that we get the support of the community in this clean-up exercise,” he said.

South West St. Andrew, which is represented by Leader of the Opposition, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller, is next in line for the clean-up initiative.

Clean-up activity has already been undertaken in Montego Bay, while the exercise is currently in progress in Portland.

Other partners in the clean-up programme are the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and the fire service.