Anti litter campaign initiated in Roseau

Tourists from a cruise ship walk around garbage in Roseau
Tourists from a cruise ship walk around garbage in Roseau

A number of stakeholders have joined forces in a campaign geared at solving issues related to littering in the city of Roseau.

A committee has been set up to design practical strategies in efforts to attack the problem.

The campaign was launched on Thursday.

“The committee comprises of the Roseau City Council, the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), Discover Dominica Authority, the Environmental Health Department, the Roseau Market Authority and the Dominica Police Force,” Bristol Lawrence, General Manager of the DSWMC, explained.

He noted that the committee intends to place waste advisory billboards over the east and west bridges of Roseau and will also place a garbage collection schedule for Roseau on television and the radio.

The Anti Litter Committee will engage in joint patrols with the police to enforce the litter laws and media appearances to educate the public on the campaign, he noted.

Meantime, Mayor of Roseau, Irene John pointed out that special attention must be given to the issue of vagrants in Roseau.

“We need to pay special attention to the vagrants because this is become a very very troublesome area,” she said. “It would appear that some of us are scared to take action to deal with the vagrants and every day you will see a new one on the block and it is creating a very big problem …. the quicker we can deal with it is the better we can curb some of the problems that exist in Roseau.”

John stated further that some individuals in Roseau use the vagrants to conduct criminal acts in the city.

“Paying them a dollar or two to get rid of their garbage anywhere or go on the bridge and dump it in the river or put it in a corner,” she pointed out.

Adding his voice to the campaign, Inspector David Andrew, emphasized that anyone found defiling any public water course will be dealt with accordingly since it is an offense to do so.

“Any person who seeks to defile any public water course – you see people at the standpipe washing clothes, bathing amongst other things – these are offenses …and we will definitely partner with the other agencies to enforce those offenses,” he said.

Andrew noted that a police patrol will be linked with the health sector, environment sector, and Roseau City Council to ensure that there is health and safety in Roseau.

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43 Comments

  1. February 9, 2014

    Hello and good afternoon my people. Well I read all the post and many have made very good suggestions but I have one suggestion that I feel would help the situation. We need a Sanitation Commissioner who sole duty would be to address trash disposal . He/she should also have Summons and Arrest Powers to enforce the laws that’s already on the books. Trash should be placed at the curb three times a week,Monday, Wednesday and Friday but only after six pm for the Sanitation Department to pick it up. Businesses should be encourage to hire private trash removal companies in that way they won’t place such huge amount of trash by the curb. The Sanitation Department should also clean the gutters in Roseau to remove that stench.

  2. DFG
    February 8, 2014

    Some people think that by saying “We are the nature island” or by pronuncing the word “Ecotourism” , the job is done ; tourists will pour in !
    Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that !

    If DA wants to become “the Switzerland of the Caribbean” one day, then the mentality and the behaviour of all citizens must be seriously upgraded.

    People have to be educated, trained, warned and …in case of misbehaviour, charged for their negative impact of the environment and or the tourism business, wich is vital for the country.

    But very little is being done for that.
    What I have seen myself during the Xmas season is a shame ; garbage all about, even at some touristic spots, like Wotten waven !

    • tina
      February 10, 2014

      AMEN!

  3. Anonymous
    February 7, 2014

    Some Dominicans too nasty and untidy! They dump rubbish anywhere and everywhere! The authorities must enforce the litter immediately!

  4. nit
    February 7, 2014

    Are’nt we the nature Isle of the Caribbean? It dosen’t seems so..Roseau is just a shame!! Very disorganized…dirty..Not attractive at all for a main city..

  5. JC CHARLES
    February 7, 2014

    What our people are not understanding the rubbish did not come from MARS and placed it self there it’s the people making ROSEAU a rubbish dump. The city council should put foot soldiers in place and punish those who are making the city a dump severely.

  6. Mary Black
    February 7, 2014

    What about the rundown builders in Roseau this is a major problem als.

  7. Mary Black
    February 7, 2014

    Roseau will be a healthier place when the street a kept clear of rubbish and beggars who seems to be after youv every street you turn.

  8. Nature boy
    February 7, 2014

    Ah, what a shame! It’s 2014 folks?! If this hasn’t been fixed, do you think it will ever be? Unless we change the way we look at things the things we look at will never change. Just think about it.

    • JoJo
      February 7, 2014

      Nature boy, why did I not think of that. Of course Bad is really Good, Dark is Light, Lie is Truth,Hell is Heaven, Hate is Love,Sad is Happy Sickness is Health, Cocaine is Vitamin, Illegal is Legal and Blue is really Red. Wow, how easy is that. I think they should give you a job at GIS.

  9. Paspolitics
    February 7, 2014

    It was a long time coming. Nasty Roseau, and many dirty parts all over Dominica. However, I applaud the clean people who clean up all the time. There are some real clean places. However, start with the hospital grounds also. It’s a shame for the visitors and out patients to just throw the trash anywhere. I just can’t take it. Our people just do not care. Just toss everything out the window of the vehicles with no regard for cleanliness. Yes I travel, and I live in a clean and sanitary place. No rats, roaches or flies. Thanks. Come and visit me. Clean up time is NOW.

    • Burp
      February 8, 2014

      I was shocked on my last visit to Dominica when i saw the the number of empty botles and cans along the roadside from Anse-Du-Mai to Calibishie. It seems as though the people binge on these bottled beverages and just toss out the empties from the vehicles. This creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The gov’t needs to educate the children about this like they did with us as kids.

  10. Pure nasty
    February 7, 2014

    Businessmen should dispose their own garbage instead of piling it at street corners…also restaurants still allow rice to flow into drains…they too need to be fined…we should also be promoting the use of renewable bags….this has been successful just in Guadeloupe and Martinique …the government must take the lead in adopting such policies…but they are just involved in catching a vote

  11. Simply the Truth
    February 6, 2014

    Stringent regulations should be put in place. The first thing which is noticed is how clean people keep themselves and their environment. These create a lasting impression. It is also what especially visitors notice.
    There are some people who do not care what their environment looks like. Education and discipline begins from youth, at home and in schools which should be practiced to adulthood.
    Adults should also be educated on this matter. An authority should go from house to house especially in certain areas to educate those people who may be prone to litter.
    After educating them and informing them of the result and repercussion of littering, if anyone is caught littering they should be charged. Inform them accordingly. Hopefully this should result in a change from littering to cleanliness.
    Those who own businesses and their staff should also be notified.

  12. Not a herd follower
    February 6, 2014

    The essential problem is that many people do not have a sense of civic responsibility. They have garbage and indiscriminately dispose of it without concern to the negative effects the garbage can have on public health, the cleanliness and attraction of the city and the environment (including rivers). They pass on their problems (getting rid of waste) to others. We need to (1) nurture a sense of civic responsibility through education and public campaigns; (2) socially shame those who litter and pollute the land and waterways; (3) impose substantial pecuniary penalties on polluters

  13. Concerned
    February 6, 2014

    First we need to do something about the amount of dogs roaming the streets causing a mess. Then the homeless, they are human and deserves a meal, shelter and clothing. Some facility should be built to house those who do not have family to care for them.

  14. J>>F..
    February 6, 2014

    I was in Roseau to day and it is filthy. And not just in the city itself. The gutters outside the church opposite fort young are full of trash.
    Stopped 3 times today by vagrants. The place needs a major clean up. Perhaps people could be employed to walk around to pick up trash.

  15. Catarina
    February 6, 2014

    I love love love Dominica but it breaks my heart the way people dump trash any and everywhere. I am so glad somebody is trying to do something about this! Thank you thank you thank you!

  16. February 6, 2014

    It has always intrigued me that we continue to define our country as the NATURE ISLAND when there persists a contempt for keeping our island clean. I dare you to show me a village/community where people are managing to maintain their environs with some degree of pride. We are lawless, don’t have any respect for the law or regard for a clean environment. As the Kathy mentioned in an earlier post, this disease is not confined to Roseau. I live in Layou village and the place is nasty, don’t even talk about St Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Not a herd follower
      February 6, 2014

      Go to La Plaine. It is generally a well-kept place.

  17. Ann Derass
    February 6, 2014

    First get rid of all the stray dogs! Walking in Roseau is a consistent battle against stepping on dog s. It is ridiculous for people to own dogs and do not have a yard to keep them. Every dog owner in Roseau should have a license and be held responsible if the dogs are found on the streets.
    Next, get rid of the rat food which continues to flow into the open drains from kitchens and restaurants. The Sewerage system was designed to capture all this grey water. With that Roseau will smell a bit better.
    Then tackle the garbage, increase the tax on all the KFC and plastic bottles we import.
    It is ridiculous for me to pay the same Environmental Levy for the importation of a shirt as KFC which has their litter all over the place. Increase the levy on plastics, styrofoam and all the other stuff we find littering the place to 10% and use the money to employ people to keep the country Clean and Green.
    Without some bold new initiatives this committee is a waste of time. If they get the dogs off the streets and get their owners to keep them in their yard, they will at least achieve something.

  18. linda
    February 6, 2014

    sometime aback there was a few guys from the solid waste passing around trying to create an impression,and giving people tickets.where are they now?there was one from st.joe that one had a big problem,mentally

  19. Kathy
    February 6, 2014

    Something needs to be done island wide and not just in Roseau. I see people walking to the bridge in Portsmouth and dumping their trash into the river. They throw garbage bags full into the rivers and the trash builds up on the banks. So the people living down river has to clean up their trash. They should dispose of it properly. Some don’t even wait for the trucks to come they just use the river as the garbage dump. Something needs to be done!

    • Anonymous
      February 6, 2014

      Something needs to be done- very true Kathy! Dominica please start with educating the children in how to take care of the enviroment of the Nature Island. Hardly any dust-bins all over the country! Dirty beaches (f.e. Scotts Head I had to buy a sight pass to end up at a litterd beach with rats running around).
      Walking from Portsmouth to Toucari I cound not believe how much waste I saw along the road.
      Tons of plastic bags to carry home the shopping goods. I always bring my own bag- made of fabric.
      A clean & healty enviroment is the future- of this planet. And everybody has to start at the doorstep of their home! It can work- I live in such a place! Good luck Dominica- the Nature Island…

  20. hisan
    February 6, 2014

    good it was time. hope things will be enforced

  21. derp
    February 6, 2014

    And the nastiest capital in the world award goes to….

    • justice
      February 6, 2014

      clearly u have not been anywhere…the award doesn’t go to Dominica…not even close

      • derp
        February 7, 2014

        ha, I’m pretty sure I have been to more places than you will ever be.. btw clearly you do not understand sarcasm

      • JoJo
        February 7, 2014

        You boasting about that??

    • Anonymous
      February 6, 2014

      Shut up and pick up a broom! You obviously have not travelled. That being said, if everyone played their part, the load would be lighter. On a recent visit to the island, I was appalled by the number of people who do not sweep in front of their homes. What happened to the pride of Dominicans?

    • Ideall
      February 6, 2014

      just say it Roseau. My capital city needs a clean makeover.. lest not forget we are The nature island of the world..keep it clean

      • Anonymous
        February 7, 2014

        Keep it clean?!? MAKE it clean!!!

  22. Environmental Eye
    February 6, 2014

    Good first step, Madam Mayor. However, I think you should also engage those businesses in the fastfood industry who use styrofoam and other non-biogradeable takeout containers. These do not break down and it breaks my heart to see these offensive containers littering our otherwise beautiful coastline. Step up Kentucky, Subway, Pizza, Orchard, Astaphan, Pearl’s Cuisine, Fort Young Hotel, Pearl’s Cuisine, etc. etc.!!!!

    • CYRIL LLONGTING
      February 6, 2014

      Well said. Don’t forget the Chinese Restaurants. The one stacking garbage at the corner opposite McMillan’s gas station is a bad citizen!

    • J>>F..
      February 6, 2014

      It might also be a good idea for these place to employ people to walk around with a garbage sack and collect up all the Styrofoam. McDonalds do this in the UK.

      • Ideall
        February 6, 2014

        years ago they had the prisoners doing some cleaning up of the city, what happened to that? them prisoners just sitting up in Stockfarm getting fat and we are the ones feeding and keeping then.. get them working to pay us back

      • tina
        February 7, 2014

        Why people littering in the first place?!? Provide dust bins and educate people not to throw anything away! That is very ignorant and small minded towards the NATURE ISLAND!

  23. Spelling 101
    February 6, 2014

    Unless the campaign is on units of measurement I’m pretty sure it’s litter…..

    • Anonymous
      February 6, 2014

      And your point is?????

      • Spelling 101
        February 7, 2014

        That as a primary source of information for a large number of dominicans both domestically and abroad I want them to maintain a standard. This is an avenue that people can find Dominica through and I want us to look out best. :-D

      • Love DA
        February 9, 2014

        @ Spelling 101– And Your Point Is ???? Clean up the City or Laeve it as is – Yes? No ? Maybe ?

  24. Sirlion Holmes
    February 6, 2014

    Good luck with that, I love littering…

    • justice
      February 6, 2014

      Then we don’t wanna see your house or have a drink of water from it…idiot. stups

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