NSWMA APPLYING LESSONS FROM MELISSA EXPERIENCE AS THE 2026 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS
The National Solid Waste Management Authority is implementing new mitigation strategies to manage the current Hurricane season and beyond. In making the revelation during this year’s Sectoral Debate on June 3, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie stated that the public cleansing Agency is taking specific steps to ensure faster and more comprehensive responses to land slippages and flooding incidents that threaten pedestrian and commuter movement.
“These include the prepositioning of equipment and personnel in strategic areas, 48 hours prior to a potential disaster, and the retention of a 30% Fuel Reserve as well as essential supplies, to ensure full operations for 72 hours after a disaster. Agreements are also being developed with suppliers and contractors to provide additional fuel and heavy equipment for disaster response. The NSWMA is also identifying alternative Disposal Sites for emergency use if access to official Sites is cut off in a disaster.”
The Minister stated that the Agency is still working to improve its public cleansing performance while ensuring optimal hurricane preparation. In this respect, he disclosed that 80 garbage trucks will be repaired to shorten waste collection schedules.
“Jamaica is divided into 4,275 collection districts, and the intention is to ensure that regular waste collection is done every 7 – 10 days right across the country. This is in addition to a specific project to collect 8-thousand tonnes of bulky waste”
“I am also making a special appeal to our citizens to practice the NSWMA’s motto in their daily lives: Jamaica’s Beauty is our Duty. The Agency’s target of collecting 1.2 million tonnes of waste this year, will be far easier to achieve if practices such as illegal dumping and the casual throwing of garbage onto the streets are significantly reduced.
Last year alone, over 2,300 anti-litter tickets were issued, and over 9-thousand litter removal notices were issued. However, we recognize that a unique intervention is needed to ensure greater levels of civic responsibility. Accordingly, the NSWMA will be implementing a special public education programme in this Financial Year, at a cost of $200 million.”