The government is seeking the support and cooperation of the general public to ensure the success of a National Derelict Vehicle Removal Campaign which is now underway in Dominica.
The campaign seeks to remove over 500 derelict vehicles across the Island from June 30th to December 31st 2020.
It is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Management and the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation.
The Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation defines a derelict vehicle as “any abandoned or discarded motor vehicle; or any motor vehicle stored or kept in a public place and which is in such a dilapidated condition that it cannot be safely used for the purpose of transportation.”
The organizers remind the public that “derelict vehicles are known to pose serious threats to the environment and human health. They serve as breeding grounds for vermin and other vectors and can lead to an increase in illnesses such as zika, dengue and chikungunya.”
They point out that these vehicles also contribute to flooding and landslides during hurricanes by blocking drains and roadways, which can result in loss of lives and property.
The removal of the derelicts will be done in three phases. In the first phase, the focus will be on public roads, the second phase – public places and the third phase – communities.
Owners of derelict vehicles who require assistance to remove such vehicles are asked to contact any of the following institutions or duly authorised officers:
- The Environmental Health Department: 266-3465
- Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation: 449-8168
- Village Council (Local offices)
- Environmental Health Officers
- Litter Wardens
“Government solicits the support and cooperation of the general public as we undertake this much-needed initiative which seeks to preserve our environment while contributing towards our hurricane preparedness efforts,” say organizers of the campaign.
Great move indeed. There is a flatbed truck in possie middle street that has been there for so long. That need to be removed.
After they collect them up where they going to put them, in a pile causing another eye sore. ? There needs to be a way to crush them up for re-cycling. Is there a re-cycling facility on Dominica?
Yeah, the Caribbean Sea… This government has been talking about the issue for years but action is not forthcoming. Not enough money in recycling, more to be made with passports and other ‘under the table’ activities. So long all you have this government but none of you do understand how they ‘tick’. How much more-in-the-face can they get for the penny to drop and people to react.
Make sure allu come massacre. Mams Bakery lane to be exact. An eye sore, Just take them out!!
Some of those vehicle owners are downright wicked!!!! One put his piece of crap opposite my home for how long now. And the guy has the audacity to show up once in a while and take parts.
These people should be prosecuted under the Litter Act.
get a tow truck and just move them thing. Also all the containers on roadsides that not supposed to be there. We are still the nature isle because we are under populated. but the 50,000 that remain after maria still doing a fine job at makeing the place untidy. I support this move. All them roadside garages that have various communities looking untidy, find an area for them and put them in there. Clean up donkey beach too while you at it. That was prime reacrational beach front property left by Daniel Green to the canefield community. Now Aid Bank have it like a untidy storage for heavy equipment, garage, auto body repair and paint shops. And the people of Canefield say nothing. then again is a new set of people that move in. clean up the place. Nature island but we have the place looking disgusting. And i not blaming government. i blaming all of us. Too many of us are inconsiderate and selfish. We just dump and throw anything anywhere. like we have no decent home training.
I’m in full agreement with this initiative. The entire landscape of Dominica is littered with these eyesores. In some countries, you are not even allowed to have a derelict vehicle on your private property. We need to be more environmentally conscious for the good of all citizens and residents.
100% supportive❗❗
So many of these wrecks disfiguring the landscape and are a hazard. That makes our country look ugly and scruffy. The government could license private contractors to remove them after giving notice, just put a a large sticker on the vehicle and tell the owner it will be moved in a week if they do not do so themselves and not only will they lose their vehicle but they will also be charged for removing it. It should be easy enough for government with their computer records to establish the owners, even if they take off the licence plate. We are too pussy footing and slack in tolerating this mess.
Regulation should be put in place so people would be responsible for moving their derelict vehicles to the designated area. So many abandoned vehicles all over the place. Hold the owners accountable.
Huh, accountability is a dirty word in Dominica.
Over ten years ago, laws were drafted to do just thst. No implementation.
What I did not read was anything about stopping that practice in the future. If they need assistance now, why not set up continuing assistance so that people know exact what to do in the future when they have a piece of junk that they need to dispose of.
If the owner of a derelict vehicle refuses to have their vehicle removed, is there a law that allows the relevant government Ministry to remove it, without the owner’s consent?