Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC) will soon undergo a reform in its operations to better fulfil the corporation’s mandate to ensure the timely collection of garbage across the island.
made the remarks during the presentation of the 2025 National Budget on Friday.
Minister for Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security Dr. Irving McIntyre shared during his 2025 Budget presentation on Friday that garbage disposal practices in Dominica have recently become a major concern and topic of public discourse. According to him, it is therefore imperative that government strengthen its systems to maintain a “clean, healthy and sustainable environment for all.”
“As we continue to address the challenges of waste management, [the] Government will reform the operations of the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation so that it [can] better fulfill its mandate with greater efficiency, ensuring timely collection and adherence to established schedules,” Dr. McIntyre said.
To support this effort, the minister noted that government is undertaking several key initiatives during this fiscal year.
This, he said, includes: the procurement of six new trucks, “two of these trucks will arrive by August 1, 2025, while the remaining four are currently en route and expected to arrive by early October 2025.”
“We have begun work on the decentralisation of the landfill from Stock Farm to relieve pressure on a single location and better serve communities in other areas,” he further revealed.
Dr. McIntyre continued, “We will establish a dedicated dumpsite for derelict vehicles, white goods, and tires to address environmental and safety concerns.”
Additionally, he pointed out that the collection of garbage will also be decentralised with garbage trucks positioned across districts.
“Local authorities will be empowered and incentivised to collect and provide oversight,” he explained. “Government will also purchase four additional tipper trucks which will be placed in select communities to enhance the collection and disposal process.”
He added, “We will restructure and strengthen the operational capacity of the Corporation including increased staffing and resources to improve coverage and service quality. Public education and promotion of greater community responsibility will be heightened by encouraging and supporting citizens to properly sort, store, and dispose of waste, and to take ownership of the cleanliness of their surroundings.”
Meanwhile, he said the Government accepts full responsibility for the collection and disposal of solid waste in Dominica and will make no excuses in ensuring that this is done effectively and efficiently.
“The measures that I have articulated this morning will no doubt enhance the Corporation’s capacity to deliver improved services across the island,” he stated.
However, he made it clear that at some point, citizens and residents of Dominica will need to participate in a conversation about their individual financial contribution towards the collection and disposal of waste.
“Clearly, the idea that [the] government should do it alone, must come to an end. So, at some point, Mr. Speaker, after consultations, we will have to return to this Honourable House to present recommendations from the general public about our individual and collective financial contributions to the collection and disposal of our waste in Dominica to preserve the health of our environment and uphold our standing as the Nature Island of the Caribbean,” Dr. McIntyre remarked.
Shameful! A government where $billions entered its coffers but can’t even arrange for its garbage to be collected regularly which has led to rare diseases.
Dominica is the perfect example of a Banana Republic. The members of the ruling elite is obsessed about their economic well-being. Meanwhile, corruption and inequality flourish. Maladministration prevails.
Cleanliness is godliness! A twenty-one (21) year old administration that CANNOT provide an efficient garbage collection system for its people, every member of that administration should become persona non grata in the politics of Dominica.
Dr McIntyre remarked, clearly, the belief that government should do it alone must come to an end. Why is it taking the government that long to realize that in order to receive reliable and efficient service, citizens must contribute to the overall service. Until then, we will continue to receive mediocre service. The fees should be reasonable but it is imperative that we start to pay for our garbage collection services.
It’s now approaching 3 weeks since the last garbage pickup in my neighborhood and that is totally unacceptable. And while we’re on the subject of fees, the authorities should look at other services such as home owners assisting with the payment for the regular grass cutting in their neighborhoods.
Do not let the government fool you, you pay for these “fees” on all items imported through the Environmental Tax paid by the merchants at customs.
What we need is full and honest disclosure as to whether those fees are passed to the Solid Waste as required by LAW (for a while that was not happening). There is not a snowball’s chance in hell that I am going to be paying for the same thing twice. Already the “fees” are in the cost of items bought from the merchants, plus their mark-up.
Obviously, the environmental tax you refered to is insufficient to maintain our garbage collection services based on the horrible condition we see on island, my neighborhood has not had service for 3 weeks therefore additional monies are required. I would simply add a minimal fee in the water bill to address the issue. Very simple solution and end of argument. Everyone will pay whether one likes it or not for the service once they receive water from Dowasco.