Debris being loaded on to a truck after men cleared garbage that was left by Hurricane Dean on Liguanea Avenue, in St. Andrew, yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Coordinators of the national clean-up activities yesterday hailed the two-day project to rid the country of debris caused by Hurricane Dean, which lashed the island in August, a success.

Jamaicans from all walks of life picked up brooms, shovels and other tools to clean up their communities. The exercise which was announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding ended yesterday.

"I would say it was successful. We achieved our objective," Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports told The Gleaner yesterday.

Ms. Grange said work in some areas began prior to the two-day activities and will continue in areas where debris were not removed.

She noted that the Ministry of Health would continue its vector control programme.

According to Grange, close to 200 trucks were dispatched in the Corporate Area and 79 loads of debris were removed from the hurricane-ravaged areas of Rocky Point and Portland Cottage on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Michael Ammar, coordinator of the national clean-up project, said activities in his area, which spanned Hope Road, north to the mountains, went well.

"I am very satisfied. The time was well spent," he told The Gleaner yesterday.

Ammar noted that his team was able to rid Liguanea Avenue, which was in a bad state, of all the debris.

He said all the areas to the north of Barbican had been cleaned, except for Grosvenor Terrace, which is in a bad state. He said that a fleet of trucks and front-end loaders would be going in this week.

Mr. Ammar also said the communities of Charlton and Allerdyce will be cleared this week, and it is expected that by Sunday all areas should be debris-free.

In the meantime, Ms. Grange lauded the private sector for its involvement in the project, and several companies which donated tools and gas, among other things.

The core agencies involved were the National Solid Waste Management Authority, Social Development Commission, Ministry of Health, Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Constabulary Force and Hope 2007.

Jacquie Williams, Hope 2007 volunteer, said debris was removed from Brown's Town, St. Ann, a beach in Hanover, the resort areas in St. James and Buff Bay, Portland.

- P.F.