Dear Sir,
I write in response to an article which appeared in the Jamaica Observer on August 19, 2014, headlined, 'NSWMA to resume weekly garbage collection next week', in which National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Director of Operations Percival Stewart assured the public that the pile-up of garbage in the Corporate Area would have been removed by Monday, August 25.
As the councillor for the Chancery Hall Division of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC), I would like to inform the NSWMA director that, as far as this division is concerned, not only is the pile-up still visible, but it is increasing daily due to the failure of the NSWMA to provide an efficient garbage removal service.
According to the NSWMA, they would have focused on St Catherine and Kingston over the two-week period, beginning mid-August, which would have removed the pile-up, and that the rest of the garbage would have been taken care of by a return to the once-weekly garbage-collection cycle.
However, my information and experience is that the collection service is still way below what is required to ensure that the presence of garbage in the area would be kept at a manageable level.
I am sure that I am not speaking for my division alone, because a similar situation is evident across the Corporate Area. I am concerned that not only does it appear that the residents of the Corporate Area are becoming complacent with this lack of proper garbage collection, but that the KSAC, which is the local authority which has oversight for proper garbage collection in the area, also seems to have become resigned to the current situation.
On the other hand, I do not believe that either the local authority or the residents of the Corporate Area are obligated to accept a municipality overflowing with garbage.
I must remind the residents that, last year, when property taxes were increased substantially, we were told that the increase would contribute to improvements in local services, including garbage collection and street lights. In the circumstances, how does the Government explain the fact that street lights are not being repaired and NSWMA cannot provide a proper garbage collection service because of funding?
I am appealing to the mayor of the city and the members of the KSAC Council to stand together on this issue in the best interest of the people of the Corporate Area, who deserve much better.
I am also appealing to the Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott to remember that his duty is to ensure that no community in Jamaica has to endure this level of inefficiency in the delivery of public services, and demand that more of the increased property taxes being collected are committed to the efficient delivery and sustenance of these basic services.
Duane C E Smith, JP
JLP Councillor
Chancery Hall Division, KSAC
We need to reset the thing!
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I write in response to an article which appeared in the Jamaica Observer on August 19, 2014, headlined, 'NSWMA to resume weekly garbage collection next week', in which National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Director of Operations Percival Stewart assured the public that the pile-up of garbage in the Corporate Area would have been removed by Monday, August 25.
As the councillor for the Chancery Hall Division of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC), I would like to inform the NSWMA director that, as far as this division is concerned, not only is the pile-up still visible, but it is increasing daily due to the failure of the NSWMA to provide an efficient garbage removal service.
According to the NSWMA, they would have focused on St Catherine and Kingston over the two-week period, beginning mid-August, which would have removed the pile-up, and that the rest of the garbage would have been taken care of by a return to the once-weekly garbage-collection cycle.
However, my information and experience is that the collection service is still way below what is required to ensure that the presence of garbage in the area would be kept at a manageable level.
I am sure that I am not speaking for my division alone, because a similar situation is evident across the Corporate Area. I am concerned that not only does it appear that the residents of the Corporate Area are becoming complacent with this lack of proper garbage collection, but that the KSAC, which is the local authority which has oversight for proper garbage collection in the area, also seems to have become resigned to the current situation.
On the other hand, I do not believe that either the local authority or the residents of the Corporate Area are obligated to accept a municipality overflowing with garbage.
I must remind the residents that, last year, when property taxes were increased substantially, we were told that the increase would contribute to improvements in local services, including garbage collection and street lights. In the circumstances, how does the Government explain the fact that street lights are not being repaired and NSWMA cannot provide a proper garbage collection service because of funding?
I am appealing to the mayor of the city and the members of the KSAC Council to stand together on this issue in the best interest of the people of the Corporate Area, who deserve much better.
I am also appealing to the Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott to remember that his duty is to ensure that no community in Jamaica has to endure this level of inefficiency in the delivery of public services, and demand that more of the increased property taxes being collected are committed to the efficient delivery and sustenance of these basic services.
Duane C E Smith, JP
JLP Councillor
Chancery Hall Division, KSAC
We need to reset the thing!
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