NSWMA Receives More Garbage Trucks

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has received 11 compactor garbage trucks, valued at approximately US$1.74 million, from the Government. One more will be delivered in March.

The handover ceremony was held on February 19 at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in Kingston.

The NSWMA’s regional entities, Southern Parks and Markets (SPM) Waste Management Limited will receive three units; North Eastern Parks and Markets (NEPM) Waste Management Limited, two units; Western Parks and Markets (WPM) Waste Management Limited, three units; and Metropolitan Parks and Markets (MPM) Waste Management Limited, four units.

In his address at the ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the Government remains committed in its thrust to protect the natural beauty of the country and ensure a clean and safe environment for the citizens.

“This is now 42 units that the NSWMA would have received in less than three and a half years,” he said.

The Minister added that the Government is cognisant of the need to improve the stock of the NSWMA, noting that an additional 100 trucks are to be leased from contractors.

“The procurement process is now underway. We are going to open up the system to enable people who are qualified to provide the service,” he informed.

Accepting the vehicles, Executive Director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, said they will significantly boost the Authority’s current fleet.

“When we have good trucks, we can keep our schedule and we can deliver quality service. I am very happy to receive the trucks,” he said.

For his part, Deputy Chairman of the NSWMA, Linley Reynolds, said the Government has lived up to its commitment to provide the necessary resources to the NSWMA and its regional offices to assist with the collection and transportation of solid waste.

“Receiving these new trucks means we can do that much more in terms of the collection of garbage,” he said.