St. Thomas Residents To Clean Bamboo River Shoreline And Gully On Labour Day

Residents of Morant Bay are expected to participate in the removal of garbage and other debris from the Bamboo River shoreline and gully on Labour Day, May 23.

The clean-up exercise was selected by the St. Thomas Labour Day Planning Committee as the parish project for this year.  Approximately 200 persons are expected to participate in the activity.

Mayor of Morant Bay and Chairman of the planning committee, Ludlow Mathison, told JIS News that the project involves collaboration with several partners.

These include Social Development Commission (SDC), National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), St. Thomas Health Department, St. Thomas Environmental Protection Association and Genesis Recycling Company.

Mayor Mathison urged residents to “just come out on May 23 and let us put our hands together to get the area clean.”

Parish Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, St. Thomas Parish Council, Martina Medley, told JIS that Food for the Poor has donated several items towards the project.

These include water boots, pickaxes, shovels, rakes and garbage bags. She said the committee will be seeking assistance from the NSMA and the National Works Agency for the provision of heavy-duty equipment to clear the gully.

Ms. Medley, who is also a member of the Parish Planning Committee, said the project was chosen to safeguard the health and welfare of the residents of the area.

“It is very important because the accumulation of garbage creates breeding ground for rodents and mosquitoes,” she said, noting that the clearing of the gully will reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rains.

Labour Day is being observed under the theme: ‘For Health’s Sake…Keep it Clean.’

The St. Thomas Parish Labour Day thanksgiving church service will be held on Sunday, May 15 at the Bath Methodist Church beginning at 11:00 a.m. The sermon will be delivered by youth preacher, Shanette Edmonson.