National Clean-Up Moves to Portland in June

The second leg of the National Clean-Up Programme is to get underway in Portland in June.

This was announced by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, during a meeting with stakeholders at the Hotel Tim Bamboo in the parish on Tuesday (May 10).

He said the seven-day exercise will involve the removal of bulky waste such as old refrigerators and derelict vehicles from targeted communities.

Mr. McKenzie noted that as one of the preferred areas for tourism, Portland is in need of “special attention” to improve the cleanliness and overall appeal.

He informed that officers from the Social Development Commission (SDC) and the Portland Parish Council will be conducting sensitisation sessions in the parish from May 30. The Parish Development Committees and public health workers will also be involved.

Residents are invited to participate in two town hall meetings prior to the start of the clean-up exercise, to air their concerns and suggest ways in which the Ministry can better serve the parish.

The meetings are to be held in Port Antonio and Buff Bay on June 1 and 2, respectively, at locations to be finalised by next week.

The Minister is encouraging residents to support the exercise, stressing the need for them to take personal responsibility for the cleanliness of their own surroundings.  He warned that persons found to have disposed of items illegally will be prosecuted.

Other partners in the clean-up are the National Works Agency (NWA), Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the fire service, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

The Minister said the National Water Commission (NWC) will also be brought on board to address sewerage problems and leaks, while the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) will work to cut trees entangled with high tension wires.

The National Clean-Up Programme is being driven by a National Task Force established by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

It is intended to assist the Government’s efforts to rid communities of mosquito breeding sites, particularly in light of the Zika virus and other vector-borne diseases.

The national clean-up exercise, which got underway three weeks ago in Montego Bay, St. James, saw the removal of more than 700 truckloads of bulky waste, over 60 abandoned motor vehicles and the clearing of several drains.