EDITORIAL: Garbage woes must be addressed

Barbadians have been quite concerned about the piles of garbage being seen across this country recently, and naturally persons are starting to vent their frustration about the infrequency of garbage collections, as the garbage in their neighbourhoods attract all manner of vermin.

Now while some garbage trucks have been purchased, and indeed as a country we are pleased about that, there are still not enough trucks to adequately handle the volume of garbage generated by households and businesses alike. So the reports that as many as 12 more trucks are to come to beef up the existing fleet, which has been plagued with breakdowns, are indeed welcomed. Truly, it is hoped that those trucks arrive soon and that in the meantime, efforts are made to find other solutions to deal with the garbage situation.

The country has been assured by the minister with responsibility for the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA), as well as officials from the SSA, that more trucks should be here by year-end. While we take some solace in that news, we are still faced with the loads of garbage seen on many a street corner on a daily basis. One has to say “some solace”, as over the months we have seen the goalposts being adjusted. Earlier this year it was said that the trucks would be on island by September, then it was October “at the latest” and in more recent times, the refrain being sung has been by the end of the year.

Admittedly, acquiring such trucks does not happen overnight, it can take as much as a year to get them from point of origin to Barbados, as buying a garbage truck is not like going to one of the local car dealerships. You cannot simply pick the make and model of the vehicle you want and be driving it a few days later. This is a fact that the officials should have hammered home up front, so persons would have known what to expect.

But as we wait for the trucks to arrive, the garbage continues to pile high and some persons have even resorted to dumping theirs illegally. This Government, though not a fan while in opposition of utilising the services of the private waste haulers to help get the garbage problem under control, may have to utilise those services even more if we are to prevent a public health hazard. The goal must be to get the garbage off the streets fast. It may be wise too, so as to further protect the environment, to promote recycling on a larger scale, and to encourage the sorting of garbage at source. This could help to reduce the amount of garbage that is being sent to the landfill.

Now without a doubt, persons’ frustration about the lack of the trucks has been compounded by the fact that they have been paying a new garbage and sewage contribution (GSC) attached to their water bills. Householders pay either an additional $45 or $46.50 monthly depending on the number of days in the month, and businesses are paying GSC of 50 per cent of their water bills. Many have been crying out because of that increase and for businesses, it has increased their overhead costs, resulting in the prices for some goods and services also rising.

The GSC has reportedly aided in boosting Government’s revenues, but there have been no details given recently on just how much has been collected and how that money has been spent. It is hoped then that when the country gets the promised update on the performance of Government’s fiscal measures next month, the GSC will be among the measures highlighted – Barbadians must know how their tax dollars are being spent.