Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge has announced that as part government’s intention to introduce and upgrade legislation to facilitate the proper disposal of garbage, restaurants in Roseau will be required to utilize grease and food traps.
Earlier this week, on Kairi FM’s ‘The Heng’, the Minister stated that too often waste food from restaurants are seen in the drains in Roseau which adds to the stench in the nation’s capital.
“Many times, you see food in the drains, coming from restaurants. We are actually going to change and upgrade the law that all restaurants must have grease and food traps,” he said.
This, he explained, will improve the cleanliness in the capital city.
“What that will do [is] it will reduce the amount of food going in the gutters. It will reduce the amount of rats and other rodents in the city, and it will also reduce the smell of the gutters because what really makes the gutter smell is the food decaying in those gutters,” Tonge articulated.
Tonge noted that businesses in Roseau are responsible for the disposal of their waste, through the use of hired labour.
“Business houses are not supposed to put garbage outside. They are supposed to hire a company to pick up that garbage,” he said. “So, obviously, a lot of what we’re seeing is not what’s supposed to be done.”
He noted that the Ministry plans to embark on a campaign to meet with organizations, to ensure that they fulfil their responsibilities. Such plans, Tongue stated, are currently being discussed on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, the Minister remarked that while the Ministry has increased its efforts to keep Roseau clean, the public has not been fully cooperative.
Tonge urged the public to rid themselves of what he referred to as “bad habits” in terms of cleanliness.
“So, I think many of us who have actually walked around Roseau will see that there is a marked betterment of the cleanliness of the city,” he commented. “But…we have some bad habits that we have to change.”
He implored residents in and around the city to adhere to the schedule provided by the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC) for waste disposal.
The Minister revealed that the Ministry has a team of individuals presently assisting the Roseau City Council, as they strive for a cleaner country.
Example: In front of…..just a nasty sight. Not welcoming, and there are no signs that anyone tries to clean up in front…ever.
Legislation without enforcement is a waste of time. Just look at all the vehicles parked under the new “No Parking” signs around Roseau.
I have previously read of this on DNO. Since then, it appears nothing has been done. Why is it so difficult to get action from these enterprises? Is this all talk again?
Restaurants need proper garbage disposal. They should be constructed in a manner that they have a sort of incinerator to grind their garbage and then disposed of.
Consider, food remnants should be properly disposed of. They should not be flushed down and thrown into the drains. Obviously they will clog the drains and create a stench.
It is time to legislate this action.
Do not only speak of this on the airwaves and publish through the Media. You should send them a directive in the form of a warning, informing them if they do not comply appropriate action will be taken.
China Town for real
Not only Roseau canefield too.
With the constant drum beat and chest thumping from this administration, one would believe that the dirty drains in Roseau would have been addressed by now, but as time would have it, this is not the case. Why pass legislation when you do not have adequate garbage trucks to collect trash in the first place? As usual, we’re placing the cart before the horse.
I live in a big city where trash is collected twice a week. The street is swept twice a week, and Mr. Sanitation Police comes around seven days a week . Trash that is left “18” inches away from the curb, on the street, in front of the house, homeowner or business owner gets a ticket. Dominica government needs to start generating revenue. Issue penalty fines and see how quick people and businesses change their nasty ways.
I also reside in a big city. The law is strict. It is because the Dominican government – authorities have not enforced this law and other laws why this problem and others persist and give Roseau of all a bad, smelly reputation.
What is the responsibility of the Roseau Town Council anyway? Isn’t that under their purview?
You are correct. It is under the jurisdiction of the Roseau Town Council – the Mayor.
Where I reside this responsibility falls under the Municipal government, the City which is headed by the Mayor.
Minister for tourism that is putting the cart before the horse. Before you pass legislation what about fixing the roads, sidewalks and drains in Roseau? From the old pic that Lennox Honeychurch usually posts the drains in Roseau are no different than they were 100 + ago. Pedestrians have to be walking in the streets to avoid those uneven and too narrow sidewalks, where a few exists. Build deeper and covered drains with filters to prevent garbage from falling and flowing into them, have properly paved sidewalks and then you can talk legislation. It is lamentable that you guys are building an 18 million dollar bridge to enter into this pathetic state of a “city”.
Rehabilitate the “city’ and then pass legislation. Stupeeees
Some homes throw raw sewage in to the drains in Roseau.
Skerrit and his Government need to buy more garbage trucks for Dominica, I find solid waste too unequiped man… Most of the time is an old dumper they modifay they using to pick up de trash… smh
Man allu dow hear we going to get trucks from Panama .
lisen well .
Yes I all you must call his name. Blessings PM
Why don’t u invest in one so u can make money government is not all they cannot do everything
Legislation does not facilitate the proper disposal of waste. Roseau does not have proper drainage and sewer system, the garbage truck logistics is non existence, and there is no properly designed landfill, and there is no wastewater treatment. Plant. These are the things that facilitate proper disposal of waste. When these systems are in place and functioning then the government can pass legislation to encourage good habits. All this government does is pass blame for thier lack of foresight and vision. Let me give u a few suggestions. Place parking meters in roseau enforce with traffic department personnel. Use revenue collected to pay garbage truck that passes twice a week. Design landfill that harness methane gas that can be used as cooking fuel. This is sustainable development and will creat emplyment. Lastly roseau needs a sewer system and waste treatment plant casue all those septic tanks and drains are outdated. Fix that before passing pointless laws.
you all want to put all kinds of things in place to punish the people
but u go to the land filed every day they know you when come in the
night they telling u come next day this dont make no senes to me
u all dont provide bins no more u all put a collection day most times u all
dont pass put bins outside of the land filed so ppl will know that they can
go to the dump at amy time we hullers are well known y cant we go and pump
after 9 most food places close after 4 thing bout that
Land Fill. not land filed. you cannot file land.
you did english in school? my gosh
Garbage should be collected everyday.
Roseau City Council should collect a fee, or impose punishments on business who fail to adhere. I dont think it should be performed by central government. Give local government the ability.
The Government needs to “FINE” the businesses, make them pay. Create a new department “sanitation police” to enforce the rules.. The government now generate income and decrease unemployment.
Tonge the sidewalks should be the resposibility of the business owners also,WHITCHURCH ,ASTHPHANS ,Courts ,Banks to name a few should have that responsibility.Rosea will continue to smell and be a disgrace until the businesses to their part.
This is another reason why businesses pay tax. The government in turn has to put some measures in place for their garbage disposal.
Yes Minister. I applaud this move. I have always been complaining about the waste of restaurants being washed in the drains of Roseau and causing an extremely unpleasant smell. Its way past time.
Good idea, but the inhabitants of Roseau do the same and so they should be called upon to keep Roeau clean. They reside in Roseau and when we come to Roaeau, we are their guests and must be treated with respect by having a clean city. This is also a call for all other villages and the second town. We should not only target Roseau with that problem.
“So, I think many of us who have actually walked around Roseau will see that there is a marked betterment of the cleanliness of the city,” he commented. “But…we have some bad habits that we have to change.” (Senator and Tourism Minister Robert Tonge [Tongue
]). This statement says it all! The man said that there is betterment in the cleanliness of Roseau like he is either blind or lost his sense of smell! Minister Tonge, Roseau as the Island’s Capital City should be an embarrassment to ALL Dominicans in terms of litter and foul scents. With a Cabinet of Ministers who have all traveled extensively throughout the region and around the world, this Government have had ample opportunities to see comparable cities in other countries. When one is left to compare Roseau to the Capital Cities of our neighbors we should be hanging our heads in shame. However, here we are again trying to fix a problem that requires major surgery with another band-aid. Shameful!!!
Labouroflove. Don’t you think that the attitude of the litters must change. Always littering and throwing pladtiv, strophoam in the gutters? If you give a flush of the whole of Rosea in one day, then those same persons will still litter the next day. My answer charge them from EC500.00 no less then the will see them change their awful litter ways.
That is just to say it was worst than present stop spinning things around and playing politics
Positive move. Implementation is both sides, that is government and restaurant owners along with residents is key. A cultural change is a must.