Rodents, disease concerns grow amid garbage backlog in Hanover

WESTERN BUREAU:

With the parish of Hanover listed in the Ministry of Health and Wellness report confirming 11 cases of leptospirosis in western Jamaica since the passage of Hurricane Melissa, concerns are mounting about the large amounts of uncollected garbage scattered across the parish – both in designated disposal areas and in places not meant for dumping.

Deputy mayor of Lucea and councillor for the Sandy Bay Division in the Hanover Municipal Corporation, Andria Dehaney-Grant, was sharply critical of the National Solid Waste Management Authority/Western Parks and Markets (NSWMA/WPM) and their handling of garbage collection in the parish.

“I think that at this point, the NSWMA/WPM needs to do something immediately in terms of garbage collection. I have been driving around and persons have been calling and complaining, especially since the passing of the hurricane, about there not being any regular collection of garbage, which I know would have been difficult with the amount of garbage that have been compiled since the hurricane. I believe at this time, they need to get a lot of private contractors involved in the cleaning-up process,” she told The Gleaner-

She added that the increase in garbage naturally leads to an increase in rodents, noting that Hanover is among those reporting cases of leptospirosis since the passing of Hurricane Melissa.

“It is only natural that with the increase in garbage, we will see rodents in abundance taking over the space, and persons have been complaining about that, and so something needs to be done immediately,” Dehaney-Grant stated. “We are already suffering from other aspects of the aftermath of the hurricane, so we cannot take on another problem with respect to people’s health ... .”

HEALTH HAZARD

Hanover Eastern Member of Parliament Andrea Purkiss echoed the concerns, noting that both she and many residents were alarmed by the widespread garbage pile-up and its potential health implications. She lamented that even before the hurricane, there was already a significant backlog of uncollected waste, and the storm only made matters worse.

“Now, after the hurricane, we are not seeing any garbage being collected. There is a mountain at my personal gate right now,” she said.

Michael Cummings, a public passenger vehicle operator in the tourism sector, expressed frustration with the garbage situation when The Gleaner spoke with him in Orange Bay, Hanover Western. He claimed that in the Lot area where he lives, there had been no garbage collection even before the hurricane.

“There are two garbage dumpsters in that area, and both are filled and running over, and all receptacles at the gates of the residents are full. Some persons have turned to burning their garbage,” he stated.

A week ago, NSWMA Executive Director Audley Gordon noted that before the hurricane, the WPM had relocated its fleet to areas considered safe, including at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, but despite the precaution, some of the vehicles suffered significant damage, with six trucks out of service.

He noted the backlog in communities and called on private contractors with tipper and compactor trucks to assist with the removal of bulky waste and garbage build-up across western Jamaica.

On Monday, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the CARICOM country was donating four garbage truck to Jamaica. They were set to arrive on Tuesday.

With communication still spotty in the parish, The Gleaner was unable to reach Hanover Medical Officer of Health Dr Kaushal Singh for comment.

editorial@gleanerjm.com