Welcome to Bahamas Local, Your Bahamas Online Search Engine

Environment Minister urges use of the landfill for garbage disposal

Tue, Dec 20th 2022, 03:38 PM
Environment Politics

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources entered the third phase (clearing of lots to create green spaces) of its National Beautification Program.  
The Hon. Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, led a news briefing Friday, December 16 at an overgrown property strewn with mounds of garbage and derelict vehicles off Golden Isles Road.   

 He expressed disappointment with the amount of indiscriminate dumping that is occurring in communities throughout New Providence particularly when there is no charge for disposing of garbage at the landfill. 

 “We’ve discovered with indiscriminate dumping -- old stoves, furniture, refrigerators -- when they are landscaping, they pack the bags and discard them. Then, regular waste, garbage, they pack in bags and dispose of them. In some areas like this, it seems as if persons with stolen vehicles bring them, strip them and then discard them. It is very unfortunate but that is the norm, and we want to discourage that. 

 “In most instances persons who are paid include in their expenses for clearing lots and landscapes. They are [paid] to [take the garbage] to the landfill/ecology park and never make it to the landfill. Instead, they find areas like this in constituencies throughout New Providence and they do what we call indiscriminate dumping. We want to discourage that; we want persons to be on the lookout and we intend to take persons to the Environmental Court.” 

 He underscored that it is the intention of the Ministry to clean the area, make it a green space and do everything to keep The Bahamas Clean, Green and Pristine. 

 Minister Miller urged residents not to use the land for indiscriminate dumping and warned that there is a penalty for such behavior. 

 “The fine is a maximum of $5,000. For persons we find violating we intend to exercise the maximum extent of the law. We are going to be active and aggressive in pursuing persons because this has been going on for too long. 

 “[It] almost seems as if there is an attitude that we do not care. The Bahamas I grew up in, we took pride in keeping our properties, streets and areas clean and they did not have the things that we have today in modern society. They used tree limbs and coconut limbs; no weed whackers, no modern rakes and they kept their properties clean. That was something that emanated from within. They had that firm belief of the phrase I grew up with “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. 

Minister Miller called for the reintroduction of the culture of cleanliness and personal pride that once existed. 

 He said, “We want to create parks, and recreational areas, family-friendly so that they can come from surrounding communities where they can relax, have fun, study and socialize in the community. 

 “That is what we intend to do with these green spaces.  That is the third aspect -- derelict vehicles first, bulk waste, then we come in and clean lots in preparation of making green spaces out of it. For persons who allow their property to continue to be used for indiscriminate dumping the government will begin to acquire properties and convert them to green spaces.” 

 Minister Miller described the response of the public to phases one and two as “tremendous”.  “It was a tremendous response and persons took advantage of it. Persons are still calling and requesting if they are going to put the bins back and continue the program,” hesaid. 

 The bulk waste removal and derelict vehicles have covered the communities of Fox Hill, Free Town, Bain and Grants Town, Centreville, Englerston, Fort Charlotte, Yamacraw, Elizabeth Estates, Seabreeze, Golden Isles, Southern Shores and Carmichael. 

 Phase three will focus on the communities of Free Town Centerville, Englerston, Bain and Grants Town and Fort Charlotte. 

 Minister Miller announced in the House of Assembly recently that through the clean-up campaign people throughout the country will enjoy a cleaner environment as the country prepares to celebrate 50 years of Independence next year. 

 The islands of Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, and Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands are included in the program which is led by the MENR and supported by the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, the Ministry of Public Works and Utilities and other government Ministries as required.

 

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources entered the third phase (clearing of lots to create green spaces) of its National Beautification Program. 
 
The Hon. Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, led a news briefing Friday, December 16 at an overgrown property strewn with mounds of garbage and derelict vehicles off Golden Isles Road.   
 
He expressed disappointment with the amount of indiscriminate dumping that is occurring in communities throughout New Providence particularly when there is no charge for disposing of garbage at the landfill. 
 
“We’ve discovered with indiscriminate dumping -- old stoves, furniture, refrigerators -- when they are landscaping, they pack the bags and discard them. Then, regular waste, garbage, they pack in bags and dispose of them. In some areas like this, it seems as if persons with stolen vehicles bring them, strip them and then discard them. It is very unfortunate but that is the norm, and we want to discourage that. 
 
“In most instances persons who are paid include in their expenses for clearing lots and landscapes. They are [paid] to [take the garbage] to the landfill/ecology park and never make it to the landfill. Instead, they find areas like this in constituencies throughout New Providence and they do what we call indiscriminate dumping. We want to discourage that; we want persons to be on the lookout and we intend to take persons to the Environmental Court.” 
 
He underscored that it is the intention of the Ministry to clean the area, make it a green space and do everything to keep The Bahamas Clean, Green and Pristine. 
 
Minister Miller urged residents not to use the land for indiscriminate dumping and warned that there is a penalty for such behavior. 
 
“The fine is a maximum of $5,000. For persons we find violating we intend to exercise the maximum extent of the law. We are going to be active and aggressive in pursuing persons because this has been going on for too long. 
 
“[It] almost seems as if there is an attitude that we do not care. The Bahamas I grew up in, we took pride in keeping our properties, streets and areas clean and they did not have the things that we have today in modern society. They used tree limbs and coconut limbs; no weed whackers, no modern rakes and they kept their properties clean. That was something that emanated from within. They had that firm belief of the phrase I grew up with “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. 
Minister Miller called for the reintroduction of the culture of cleanliness and personal pride that once existed. 
 
He said, “We want to create parks, and recreational areas, family-friendly so that they can come from surrounding communities where they can relax, have fun, study and socialize in the community. 
 
“That is what we intend to do with these green spaces.  That is the third aspect -- derelict vehicles first, bulk waste, then we come in and clean lots in preparation of making green spaces out of it. For persons who allow their property to continue to be used for indiscriminate dumping the government will begin to acquire properties and convert them to green spaces.” 
 
Minister Miller described the response of the public to phases one and two as “tremendous”.  “It was a tremendous response and persons took advantage of it. Persons are still calling and requesting if they are going to put the bins back and continue the program,” he
said. 
 
The bulk waste removal and derelict vehicles have covered the communities of Fox Hill, Free Town, Bain and Grants Town, Centreville, Englerston, Fort Charlotte, Yamacraw, Elizabeth Estates, Seabreeze, Golden Isles, Southern Shores and Carmichael. 
 
Phase three will focus on the communities of Free Town Centerville, Englerston, Bain and Grants Town and Fort Charlotte. 
 
Minister Miller announced in the House of Assembly recently that through the clean-up campaign people throughout the country will enjoy a cleaner environment as the country prepares to celebrate 50 years of Independence next year. 
 
The islands of Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, and Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands are included in the program which is led by the MENR and supported by the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, the Ministry of Public Works and Utilities and other government Ministries as required.
 Sponsored Ads