NSWMA Launches 2010/11 PR Campaign

As part of efforts to sensitise the public to its role and functions, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) launched a year-long public relations campaign Wednesday (April 7).
According to NSWMA’s Executive Director, Joan Gordon Webley, the campaign will illustrate that the Authority does more than just collect garbage, and encourage persons to dispose of waste, properly.
Held under the theme, ‘Its cool to be clean’, the campaign includes a 2-month road show, April- June; participation in the Bacchanal Jamaica road march on April 11, and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Independence Float Parade as well as a senior citizens’ treat.
Speaking at the launch at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, New Kingston, Mrs. Gordon Webley noted that the Agency is currently on a mission to earn its way, and has already embarked on income-generating projects.

Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Joan Gordon Webley (right) in discussion with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Peter Knight, during the launch of the Authority’s year-long public relations campaign at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, New Kingston on Wednesday (April 7).

Some of the revenue-generating measures included the upgrading of the Commercial Services Division, which has resulted in earnings of more than $200 million since January, 2008; as well as launching the Parks and Garden Division as a major income-generating department providing employment for over 4,000 persons, with no direct budgetary support.
She also announced that the NSWMA will be venturing more into compositing (a mixture of decaying organic matter, including leaves and manure, used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients), which she anticipates will be a major commercial gesture.
Mrs. Gordon-Webley noted too that the NSWMA would also be offering the rental of plants to offices, and its personnel would care for them. Chairman of the NSWMA, Dennis Morgan, stressed the need for major changes in the direction of the Authority, to focus on revenue-generating activities of no cost to government.

Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Joan Gordon Webley, makes a point during the launch of the NSWMA’s 2010 public relations campaign at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, New Kingston, on Wednesday (April 7).

“Our bold new initiatives to collect commercial garbage, to get involved in parks and gardening, to be involved in cleaning the verges along the elegant corridor and throughout Jamaica, speak to the tremendous change which has happened at the NSWMA,” he said.
Mayor of Portmore, Keith Hinds, said the event signalled a rebranding and refocusing of the NSWMA.
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie, also gave his “blessing”, noting the initiative was “long overdue.”
Chief Executive Officer of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Peter Knight, voiced NEPA’s “strong support” for the revenue-generating initiatives.
The NSWMA was established under the National Solid Waste Management Act in 2001, as a statutory body to manage the collection, treatment and disposal of solid waste.