MoBay mayor urges residents to curb littering amid health concerns
Published:Sunday | March 23, 2025 | 9:37 PMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon has renewed calls for residents of St James, particularly in the parish capital, to take greater responsibility for waste disposal, warning that current practices could lead to a health crisis.
Speaking at Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), Vernon expressed frustration over the impact of improper garbage disposal on the MoBay Striving Towards Environmental Protection and Urban Preservation (STEP UP) programme, launched in April 2024 to enhance the city’s cleanliness and aesthetics.
“Despite the local authority’s efforts to improve environmental and public health standards, we are being challenged by individuals who believe this is how they should live, and it is unacceptable,” Vernon stated.
He highlighted a troubling increase in plastic waste, bulky garbage, and food scraps, which he said are creating breeding grounds for pests and potential disease outbreaks.
The mayor also warned that irresponsible waste disposal contributes to flooding and places a financial burden on the municipal budget.
“Trash thrown carelessly today leads to flooding tomorrow. Irresponsible dumping adds to a soaring municipal budget – it’s costing us millions to keep the place clean simply because people are not doing the right thing,” Vernon said.
Vernon criticised individuals who recklessly dispose of waste in gullies and out of moving vehicles.
“We are seeing piles of garbage in gullies, particularly near Embassy Place, where people using the taxi stand continue to dump waste. Even communities not directly on the embankment are using the gully as a garbage dump,” he noted.
He also condemned the widespread habit of throwing trash from cars.
“Just yesterday, I witnessed passengers on Orange Street tossing garbage out of a moving vehicle. This behaviour is unacceptable,” he added.
CALL FOR STRICTER ENFORCEMENT
Councillor Kerry Thomas of the Mt Salem division has called for stricter measures to penalise those caught littering.
“We need prosecutory processes in place, whether through the police or municipal authorities, to hold people accountable. This will help develop a greater sense of civic pride,” Thomas suggested.
Improper waste disposal has long plagued St James, leading to rat infestations, mosquito breeding, and frequent flooding due to blocked drains. Under the National Solid Waste Management Act of 2001, littering in public or private spaces without consent is a punishable offense.
As Montego Bay strives for a cleaner, healthier environment, officials are urging residents to take responsibility and help break the cycle of improper waste disposal.