Regulatory Powers of NSWMA to be Strengthened

The Government is moving to strengthen the regulatory powers of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

This is through passage of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (Disposal of Solid Waste) Regulations, 2015 and the National Solid Waste Management (Public Cleansing) Regulations, 2015.

This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, during his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 22.

The Disposal of Solid Waste Regulations govern the kinds of material that may be disposed of at a landfill and the manner in which such disposal is done, while the Public Cleansing Regulations are designed to maintain a clean environment by providing for the proper storage, conveyance and disposal of waste. Penalties will be applied where the regulations are contravened.

Meanwhile, the Minister informed the House that the Government will be approaching the investment community again regarding the divestment of disposal facilities.

“Two Requests for Proposal for the utilisation of waste were issued without success. We will, however, be approaching the investment community again, given the positive responses we have received from the invitations for Expressions of Interest,” he said.

Additionally, Mr. Arscott informed that $250 million is to be spent for the acquisition of 10 new garbage compactors and the repair of the existing fleet.

“The current fleet of compactors is woefully inadequate, both in the public and private sectors,” he said.