Implementation of a new landfill facility was out of the control of the Municipality

Nov 28, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
The Georgetown Municipality has been operating a Landfill often referred to as a ‘dumpsite’ at the Eastern extreme of the Le Repentir Cemetery since 1992. When this area was identified, the Government, the Municipality and International Lending agencies were already engaged in discussions to establish a new refuse disposal facility. It was assumed then that the present location would have been closed sometime shortly after 1996.
The discussions with the IDB, M&CC and the Government were unfortunately very protracted.
This forced the M&CC to continue operations at the Le Repentir Site long after its expiry date. This posed several hardships on the City Administration.
During these discussions several options were considered. The M&CC proposed a mix of incineration and Landfill, but this was subsequently overruled.
After some time, it was agreed that the rehabilitation of the Le Repentir facility was desirable.
This included the erection of a perimeter fence illumination of the area to allow night operation and obvious security. The organisation of people who “operated” at the ‘dumpsite’ into a cadre named ‘litter pickers.’
When the approximate cost of the new facility was revealed, in order to stick within the IDB loan sum, the above items, except for lighting were removed.
During this period, due to financial constraints, we settled for procedures and the use of equipment which were certainly not ideal.
When the details of the IDB funded project were finally settled, a contract was signed in 2007. As recent as early this year 2010, the Solid Waste Management Committee gave the assurance that the new facility at Haggs Bosch would he operable on August 01, 2010. In preparation for this event, the Government/IDB awarded a contract to Puran Brothers to close the two cells at the Dumpsite.
It was subsequently revealed that this deadline of August 2010 could not be met, adding to the difficulties of the Municipality. The Mayor wrote the Minister of Local Government on October 30, 2010 seeking the Government’s assistance to allow us to continue operations at the Le Repentir Site. The assistance required should consist of additional money, material and related equipment.
Our budget and slender financial resources did not cater for us continuing operations of this facility during the second half of 2010.
In all of this, we have had the unfortunate occurrence of fires at the Dump Site; which has caused great inconvenience to residents in the contiguous areas.
It is safe to assume that these fires could have been caused either by spontaneous combustion and, or human indiscretion.
It must be noted that the delay in implementation of a new landfill facility was completely out of the control of the Municipality.
Recall the time consumed trying to identify the new site — should it be to barge and deposit in mined out caves in the Bauxite areas, or an area behind Mocha, etc.?
It is necessary to note that it is estimated that over 200 tons of waste is deposited at the site on a daily basis, waste that is not separated and consist of building materials, used tyres and some industrial waste. No waste facility in our circumstances for the City can be managed without the provision of adequate material, management and machinery all which adds up to money.
In the circumstances, the Mayor and Councillors are delighted that at a meeting held last week with the Ministers of Local Government and Works. Government pledge to cooperate in the management of the dumpsite until the new facility at Haggs Bosch comes into operation.
Hamilton Green, J.P.

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