Dear Editor,
A reliable and efficient garbage and refuse collection system is a hallmark of any civilised and modern society. Recently, the frequency of garbage collection in and around the city of Kingston and its environs has been greatly reduced. As a result piles and piles of garbage can be seen all across the city. In fact, some citizens have resorted to the burning of their uncollected garbage which creates yet another layer of environmental problems.
The silence from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has been deafening regarding an explanation for the inconsistent collection of garbage. This is unacceptable.
It is very much unhealthy to have so much uncollected garbage in and around the Corporate Area and elsewhere. There are many diseases which thrive in an unhealthy environment. Diseases such as the rodent-borne leptospirosis, as well as the mosquito-borne viral diseases of dengue, malaria and Chikungunya all flourish in unsanitary conditions.
It should be very clear that the unreliable and inconsistent collection of garbage is a public health emergency and the authorities need to seriously address the matter with a sense of urgency.
As a developing society aspiring to achieve First World status, we clearly need to revisit the management, collection and disposal of garbage and refuse. Why is it that the National Solid Waste Management Authority cannot operate on a schedule? The current system employed is too haphazard and allows for chaos and confusion since as citizens we do not know which day the garbage will be collected. There needs to be a designated collection day, whereby working members of the society can confidently put out their garbage for collection. Maybe we should look at the possibility of removing the collection of garbage from local to central government to give the process more attention.
One thing is certain, we cannot continue along this path. The time has come for the Government to have a national policy on waste management.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
Garbage all around
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A reliable and efficient garbage and refuse collection system is a hallmark of any civilised and modern society. Recently, the frequency of garbage collection in and around the city of Kingston and its environs has been greatly reduced. As a result piles and piles of garbage can be seen all across the city. In fact, some citizens have resorted to the burning of their uncollected garbage which creates yet another layer of environmental problems.
The silence from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has been deafening regarding an explanation for the inconsistent collection of garbage. This is unacceptable.
It is very much unhealthy to have so much uncollected garbage in and around the Corporate Area and elsewhere. There are many diseases which thrive in an unhealthy environment. Diseases such as the rodent-borne leptospirosis, as well as the mosquito-borne viral diseases of dengue, malaria and Chikungunya all flourish in unsanitary conditions.
It should be very clear that the unreliable and inconsistent collection of garbage is a public health emergency and the authorities need to seriously address the matter with a sense of urgency.
As a developing society aspiring to achieve First World status, we clearly need to revisit the management, collection and disposal of garbage and refuse. Why is it that the National Solid Waste Management Authority cannot operate on a schedule? The current system employed is too haphazard and allows for chaos and confusion since as citizens we do not know which day the garbage will be collected. There needs to be a designated collection day, whereby working members of the society can confidently put out their garbage for collection. Maybe we should look at the possibility of removing the collection of garbage from local to central government to give the process more attention.
One thing is certain, we cannot continue along this path. The time has come for the Government to have a national policy on waste management.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
Garbage all around
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