LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Waste disposal concern

waste disposal

I would like to submit this photo which was taken last week of the Dominica Solid Waste garbage collection.

These regular dump trucks are often used when the ‘real’ garbage trucks have broken down and are in need of repairs.

It was very disturbing to see this as it was a safety concern for the person on top of the truck and for other motorists, and also a public health concern since this person was actually sitting on top of household waste without the necessary personal protective equipment such as overalls, face mask or gloves.

If it is possible DNO, it would be great to find out the total number of actual garbage trucks we have at present serving the island, the frequency of break down, and whether there is any attempt being made to obtain new trucks specific for garbage collection, and the cost of new trucks etc…

I feel it is important for the garbage collection authority (DSWMC), the only one serving the island, to ensure that they have the proper tools and equipment to correctly carry out their duties.

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26 Comments

  1. Mary
    March 20, 2015

    Pay allu dues for gabbage collection and then the trucks will be service.

  2. Anthony Ismael
    March 20, 2015

    This is simply unacceptable. With all the donations and money floating around the island from China, we are left with this picture depicting our waste disposal system in Dominica. This is what locals and visitors alike must deal with daily.

  3. sws
    March 19, 2015

    I am working on a comprehensive proposal to submit to the relevant party for which I am the owner president of solid waste solutions and would be able to solve most if not all this problem cover a wider s scope and just about the same

    • me too
      March 20, 2015

      Sir

      I applaud your effort but getting contract from government is cloud in politics. but I hope some sub contract can be given to young men to do section of Dominica

  4. it's ok
    March 19, 2015

    yes they, the government, really need to invest in some new garbage trucks. This would decrease health as well as environmental issues.

    • JoJo
      March 20, 2015

      That would be very good but remember these vehicles also need to be maintained and I mean not wait till they break down. They need preventative maintenance, just like fire engines an ambulances. Too often I’m seeing garbage trucks with no proper lighting or indicators working for instance.

  5. March 19, 2015

    What about turning garbage into fertilizer

    • March 20, 2015

      If you mean composting then people would have to separate their compost (and recyclables) from the rest of their rubbish. Sadly, I expect most people can’t be bothered.

    • PS
      March 21, 2015

      May I suggest we start with our cabinet?

  6. AP George
    March 19, 2015

    Where is the Minister of Health to guarantee that this sight will never happen again?

  7. Dominican
    March 19, 2015

    looks like a possible opportunity for an entrepreneur to step in with modern trucks and personnel wearing the appropriate protective equipment. Government should focus on upgrading infrastructure, healthcare, education as well as creating an attractive environment for business to flourish.

    • TimTim
      March 19, 2015

      But in this environment the contract would be given to some crony who would never be held accountable. They would end up doing a much worse job than DSCWC!

  8. TimTim
    March 19, 2015

    How much get siphoned off passport sales for last election? $30 MILLION! Let the diaspora voters come and help allyuh solve allyuh health and waste collection problem! Allyuh think they just as Dominican as anyone at home and should have a say?
    Let them help allyuh by sending a fleet of brand new trucks for solid waste. Reach out and touch your caring brothers and sisters, see if they care?

    Because the fire at the land fill, the horrendous solid waste collection system, the bedbug infested and scarcity of medication PMH, the non-existent farm access roads, the pandemic of black sigatoka, unemployment among young people, they feel all that too just like allyuh. They live it too just like allyuh.

    • Padna
      March 20, 2015

      Tim Tim, they just happen to bring in more diaspora folks than all-u, stop crying, …well start early for the next one and beat them.

    • FAST N FURIOUS
      March 20, 2015

      You make no sense. Allyuh did the same so why complain about diaspora!?
      You ALL are just there to criticize when you ALL can’t do better.

  9. TonyL
    March 19, 2015

    Garbbage collection should be contracted out. Government would not have to worry about maintenance.

    • A
      March 19, 2015

      Y NOt just throw the money in the garbage while thyre at it smh .y should it be contracted out!

  10. March 19, 2015

    This is what blackmoore should see after he in the position he craved for,,,no security for the public..the rubbish has no net holding them together,i am sure that bits of rubbish is flying off due to strong winds,the refuse collector should never be on top of the rubbish,which is a health hazard…there should be a hazard warning flag with a bright colour at the back of the truck…i suggest that the health mister if he sees this truck on his way he will say that this is normal because he sees as far as his toes…

  11. grell
    March 19, 2015

    Such shame,dominica is on the verge of something very drastic,i actually saw these trucks picking up garbage on a west coast village with no protective gears.these youn guys will suffer drastically in time to come from all these dangerous waste,now a fool is running the country and siding with Venezuela while the people of dominica suffer,but one day you people will get it good luck,put a man before god,the day will come.

  12. March 19, 2015

    We need a better program to keep the trucks working the trucks should be service every night by good mechanics logs must be kept on all government vechiles I saw a driver driving the garbage trucks with for flat tires he distroy them all I saw a police doing the same thing who is in charge of these departments. In all village council the office is always close village post office is always close who is in charge of any thing all departments are having meeting every day who is serving the public. The system needs changing from british to us

  13. Titiwi
    March 19, 2015

    Boy, is that truck even licensed, or insured? Should it even be on the road?.

    • Ma Moses
      March 19, 2015

      Hm, I have always wondered where and how these old jalopy trucks pass their road test?
      Does Solid Waste make sure they are roadworthy and covered by insurance when they contract them? Solid Waste could be liable if anything happens because these guys are acting as their agents.

    • fed up
      March 19, 2015

      You right, and l also asking myself how those men accepting that condition of work. They need to protest for their right, we are in 2015. Don’t pick up the rubbish, untill all you get a proper truck, I want to see how long it going to take them to solve that BIG PROBLEM.

      • TonyL
        March 19, 2015

        It is called COMMON SENSE.

      • it's ok
        March 19, 2015

        how the saying goes .’making do’.SMH

      • me too
        March 20, 2015

        Oh Yes! and when the boys on the truck express their frustration and concern they are quickly fired. we need to get the story from one of the boys on the truck – we need to hear their side

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