Ian Croll, Gleaner Writer

Residents of Mona Heights, St Andrew, are fed up with the National Solid Waste Management Authority's (NSWMA) infrequent collection of the community's garbage.

The residents complained that the haulers no longer pick up domestic waste on any particular day. According to them, garbage trucks turn up once weekly, and there are instances when they fail to provide any service at all. This, the residents said, was most disturbing as they are made to suffer considerable inconvenience.

Against this background, the Mona Heights' Citizens' Association has made numerous calls to the NSWMA, but the authority has failed to comprehensively address the situation.

Repeated calls

"We have called repeatedly to the (NSWMA) and then suddenly, a team turned up and then everything went back to square one. We are fed up and we knew the team who collected the garbage as they have been coming for a long time," argued a resident who requested anonymity. "But something needs to be done as the relevant authority shows scant regard. Or is it that they are not serious about their responsibility? We need some answers."

The residents also revealed that the trucks assigned by the NSWMA to collect waste in their area were run-down and plagued by mechanical problems. The concerns are not dissimilar to complaints in other Corporate Area communities as well as rural parishes.

But the Mona Heights residents argue that the authority has taken too long to remedy the problem.

"It's worrying when one thinks of what our taxes are supposed to do for us. Clearly, our taxes are not working for us," said another resident.

Complaints received

Director of enforcement and compliance at the waste collection agency, André Wiltshire, acknowledged that the NSWMA had received complaints about infrequent collection of garbage in Kingston and St Andrew, particularly Mona Heights.

"We have serious problems with the trucks, in that there is a serious shortage as well as mechanical concerns. Trucks are not in a ready state to collect waste, especially in the Corporate Area. The reality we are facing is that we don't have sufficient trucks and this is creating inconvenience for residents. But in short order, we will be dealing with the matter once and for all and in meaningful and effective fashion."

The compliance director said garbage collection contracts would be put to tender soon. Meanwhile, the NSWMA would commit to establishing the necessary support structure to ensure that standards are adhered to.

Wiltshire added that contractors would be required to provide trucks that were roadworthy.

"We will have to ensure that the Government's procurement guidelines are followed and so, contracts will put to tender shortly and the contractors will be assigned to zones. And our team will be vigorous and will be on the road policing operations and interacting with residents in a bid to ensure service satisfaction," assured Wiltshire.