Transfer Station for Solid Waste to be Built in Trelawny

The Government is to construct a transfer station for solid waste in the community of Daniel Town, Trelawny, on Solid Waste Day, June 6.

This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, while bringing greetings at a Church Service on Sunday, June 3 at the Webster Memorial Church in Kingston to launch Environment Week (June 4-8).

The week will be observed under the theme ‘Better Solid Waste Management, Healthier Jamaica’.

According to Minister McKenzie, the transfer station will be the first of its kind in Jamaica and will save time and money in the disposal of garbage.

“What is now happening is that when the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) collects garbage, for example, in Westmoreland, the trucks have to travel all the way to Montego Bay in St. James to dispose of the garbage,” he noted.

However, the transfer station in Trelawny will significantly reduce the amount of time that trucks will travel back and forth, because there is now a holding area for solid waste. Other activities for the week include the cleaning and clearing of dump and litter sites in Johns Lane, King Street and Stable Lane, all communities in Fletcher’s Land, Kingston.

This will be led by Metropolitan Parks and Markets Waste Management Limited. Meanwhile, on Thursday, June 7, the Southern Parks and Markets Waste Management Limited will lead the cleaning and clearing of garbage, and erecting receptacles at the border of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, the Minister is calling on Jamaicans to take seriously the notices, the warnings and information for the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

He said that over the past month, the country has incurred a massive bill in excess of $5 billion due to unprecedented rainfall. “As we get deeper into the season, we are expecting to see more intense rainfall than what we have been experiencing, but the commitment of the Administration is to ensure that we find the resources to rebuild,” he said.

He commended the NSWMA and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for the work they have been doing to protect the environment.