Stink start to new year in Hannah Town
Published:Wednesday | January 2, 2019 | 12:00 AMChristopher Serju/ Gleaner Writer
The stench was stifling and the abundance of flies nauseating as the Gleaner news team approached the garbage pile-up on Blount Street in Hannah Town yesterday to get a close-up view and better appreciation of the public-health risk affecting Melody Henry and her neighbours.
"You cyaan breathe. If you take out a plate fi eat food now, fly take it from you," she told The Gleaner." So this can't stay fi two more day."
Liberally spread across the roadway at a cul-de-sac, leading off its intersection with Drummond Street, the garbage pile-up has been growing before Christmas Day and promised relief by the National Solid Waste Management Authority can't come too soon.
"The next scheduled operation for the Hannah Town community is on Thursday, January 3, 2019 (today)," executive director Audley Gordon said in an email response to queries from this newspaper.
He went on: "Please be advised that collection is carried out in the area on a weekly basis. Due to the magnitude of the waste generated in that area in recent times, collection is sometimes carried out twice per week."
Henry, who lives next door to the garbage 'dump' and who has been engaged in a constant battle with flies, said that the agency last collected garbage before the holidays. In response to complaints from residents, a representative of the agency visited the area on December 31, and his assessment was that it would require additional equipment to address the situation.
Henry explained: "Him say it a go want a tractor and him affi put in him paperwork because the tractor expensive. One long story him deh pon and have good attitude like him a supervisor."
Steadfast in her efforts to get some relief, Henry expressed optimism that the matter would receive the urgent attention it warrants.
"Somebody gi me one number fi Solid Waste since mawning, and di man name Mr sitten anneda Gordon. Me talk to him and tell him di truck nuh come cause look like him nuh have no idea wah a gwaan, and him seh aright. So look like him a make some plans."