Solid-waste breaches in Negril raise concerns

Claudia Gardner, Assignment Coordinator

WESTERN BUREAU:Members of the Negril Resort Board are complaining about serious breaches of the National Solid Waste Management (NSWMA) Act taking place in sections of the resort town.

At January's regular monthly meeting of the board, chairman, Cliff Reynolds, said the problem was widespread.

"We are having a serious problem, not just only on the (Norman Manley) Boulevard, but on the West End," Reynolds said. "Because of how the area is misused, there is always a lot of garbage on the seaside and you would say 'where this garbage come from'?

"(But) there are businesses on the beach. Whether legally registered or not, they are operating commercial businesses. Because any restaurants weh sell lobster and those kinds of things, it's commercial business. But then, what happens? The garbage is still there. And that is what I have been saying to Mr Daley (of the National Solid Waste Management Authority) for months, 'You need to bring in the enforcement team' because if you don't do that, you are always going to have this kind of problem," Reynolds said.

strewn with garbage

Hotelier Dalton Hill of the Lighthouse Inn said several sections of West End and Bloody Bay were strewn with garbage generated by persons who were operating food establishments. He said the garbage problem at Bloody Bay was brought to his attention by a guest who vacationed at his property.

"I made notes about a particular place at Bloody Bay where we have had many complaints from our guests, and this is one of the reasons why I chose to come to this meeting today. Believe me! It is a serious matter up at Bloody Bay," he said.

"You know something? I am tired of coming to meetings where all we do is chat and there is no action. You know, I give up! I am giving up! You cannot have a resort with so much garbage! I went back with the people to look because the man (tourist) came back and told me to come with him, and when I saw it, I was shocked. It is where people have to pass every day," Hill said.

According to Section 46:1A of the NSWMA Act, a person commits an offence if he throws, drops, or otherwise deposits and leaves any litter in any public place. Section 47 of the act says throwing, dropping, or otherwise depositing or leaving any litter in any premises owned or occupied by another person without the consent of that person is also an offence.