GOVERNMENT IS to pump $1 billion from property taxes into the National Solid Waste Management Authority to improve the collection and disposal of garbage.
That was among a number of promises made by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on Thursday as he launched activities for Labour Day 2002.
Speaking at Mandela Park in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, Mr. Patterson said that the $1 billion is expected to come from the $2 billion Government said it plans to collect from improved property tax collection this year.
Mr. Patterson said that in preparation for this, Cabinet had already voted funds for the acquisition of 20 large new garbage compactors, as well as five crane-trucks to remove derelict vehicles from the streets. There will also be repairs to the existing garbage collection fleet, he said.
Labour Day, May 23, will coincide with an islandwide clean-up and beautification campaign, being mounted under the theme, "Let's make Jamaica nice and clean...and keep it clean."
The campaign aims to keep Jamaica clean and this is what make this programme different, he said.
Prior to discussing funding for garbage collection improvements, Mr. Patterson urged political party supporters and other Jamaicans not to deface walls with graffiti, to resist throwing garbage "any and everywhere" and against vending illegally on the streets.
"Especially when there is a certain season in the air, let us refrain from the temptation to paint up Jamaica with one political slogan or another," he said.
Later, he also outlined plans for the creation and improvement of garbage dumps or landfills around the island.
"We intend to make the Riverton City Landfill first class without causing offence to" people in surrounding communities who must be allowed to breathe freely, he said, adding that other landfills will be set up at Haddon in St. Ann and Martin's Hill in St. Mary.
The launch drew scores of onlookers and students, who waved Jamaican flags and danced to old and new hits performed by veteran musicians, Fab Five and Lloyd Lovindeer. Lovindeer also composed and sang the theme song for the campaign. Also in attendance were Members of Parliament, local Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and trade unions.
For his part, vice-president of the National Workers Union (NWU), Danny Roberts, urged Jamaicans to relate the "nice and clean" theme to values and attitudes which are important to nation building. He said that what was needed was a culture of civility - putting away violence and embracing peace and brotherhood- and a sense of national pride.
