Garbage woes for some Trelawny communities, NSWMA working to address the issue

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) says it is working to address the issue of uncollected garbage in sections of Trelawny.

Residents of the areas of Hague, Daniel Town and Zion are complaining that they have been contending with a pile-up since the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October.

“I have noticed an increase in rats running in and out of domestic garbage placed on the roadside,” said George Sylvester, a resident of Zion.

He said he is deeply concerned.

“I want to know if the Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is going to wait until there is an outbreak of diseases before they collect the garbage,” he said.

Councillor Roydell Williams of the Martha Brae Division is also concerned, noting that he has raised the matter with the agency.

“All I get are promises, but no action,” he charged.

When contacted, Senior Public Cleansing Officer at NSWMA, Louis Porter, said the agency is aware of the problem and is working to remedy the issue.

“We are aware of the situation. However, we are faced with some difficulties, which are being sorted out, and the collection of garbage will resume,” Porter told The Gleaner.

- Leon Jackson

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