Mayor recommits to Spanish Town clean-up

The growing issue of garbage accumulation in Spanish Town has spurred action from the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, which is determined to clean up the town.

Mayor of Spanish Town Norman Scott who recently reiterated his commitment to this cause, first expressed in his acceptance speech at his swearing-in ceremony. He assured residents that cleaning up the town remains a priority.

Scott has initiated talks with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to devise a comprehensive plan to tackle garbage collection and disposal issues in Spanish Town. He has scheduled a meeting with NSWMA Executive Chairman Audley Gordon, to discuss strategies for cleaning up the town and ensuring sustained garbage collection.

“The reality is that there are constraints from various levels in terms of putting a comprehensive garbage collection and disposal system in place for Spanish Town, but we are in discussions with the NSWMA to look at the possibility and the way forward and to put to rest the untidiness of the town,” Scott told The Gleaner.

He further explained, “We are currently looking at about three areas in Spanish Town to use as temporary holding areas from which the entity can collect the garbage in a timely manner.”

One major challenge identified by Scott is the mismanagement of commercial garbage disposal. He pointed out that improper commercial waste disposal is a significant contributor to the formation of illegal dumps around the town. The strategy moving forward will include prosecuting those responsible for violating sanitation regulations.

President of the Spanish Town Chamber of Commerce, Dennis Robotham, placed the blame for the garbage pile-up squarely on the NSWMA, accusing the agency of inefficiency. “It is deplorable, there has to be a focus on cleaning up Spanish Town. The commercial garbage is a large part of the problem; there is no efficiency in its collection even though most businesses are paying to have their garbage collected,” Robotham argued.

Robotham explained that the emergence of illegal mini-dumps is due to delays in garbage collection, noting that businesses are following instructions to leave garbage in designated areas.

Poor relief committee chair, Councillor Keisha Lewis, also expressed support for a comprehensive clean-up strategy, emphasising strict prosecution of those who violate anti-litter laws. She dismissed any suggestion that the municipal corporation should be held accountable for the current garbage situation.

ruddy.mathison@gleanerjm.com