Make Jamaica germ-free attractive

THE EDITOR, Madam:

In The Sunday Gleaner of January 28, ‘Papine Market dump a stinking disgrace’, written by Caroline Cooper, ought to cause government officials, especially Mayor Delroy Williams and his KSAMC councillors much embarrassment. This is a perennial problem with piles of garbage producing stench and germs within walking distance from the UWI teaching hospital. And as the writer mentioned, it is not the first time that she had written about this unhealthy situation. Personally, whenever I go to the hospital to minister to a patient, I make sure to close my car windows – so awful can be the stench!

As it was before, this situation will be so forever unless someone in local government “bell the cat” and deliver appropriate penalty to those responsible for collecting the garbage and minimising germs.

Talking about the lack of ideal situation will never cut it; those in authority can do better even with the lack of the ideal. For instance, the writer suggested a change in days of collection to address the overflow. This could be a start. In the long run, unless stringent sanctions are levelled and some heads roll, the problem will always continue. Actually, this and other such problems unattended call into question the efficacy or worth of local government.

The inability to keep Jamaica clean and germ-free might even merit another advisory from our northern neighbours, lest their citizens should be adversely affected when they come to enjoy the beauty with which Jamaica is blessed, but more importantly, it behoves us all to make our own country germ-free and attractive for ourselves in the first place. The type of environment can affect positively or negatively our health, our psychological well-being and our appreciation for beauty which is one of God’s attributes. Yes, the divine loves beauty: “God has shone from Zion, perfect in beauty” (Ps.50:2).

DONALD REECE

Archbishop (retired) of

Kingston