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The National Solid Waste Management Authorities is grappling with the detrimental impacts of widespread littering and insufficient funding, which hinder their capacity to clear drains in Antigua effectively.
Michael Joseph, the Chairman of Solid Waste, has initiated a comprehensive effort to clean drains throughout the country, targeting over fifty significant waterways.
According to him, these waterways interconnect with smaller ones, emphasizing the drainage system’s interconnected nature.
The primary project is crucial for mitigating flood damage during intense rainfall, particularly as we enter the Hurricane Season. According to Joseph, the public’s littering has played a significant role in exacerbating this issue.
Joseph explained that a recent flood in the Jennings area affected many residents.
He said when their teams investigated, they found out that someone had dumped an old car in a natural waterway.
According to him, the car blocked the water flow during heavy rains, leading to major flooding in the area. Joseph expressed concern about the recurring issue of cleaning up the area due to irresponsible dumping.
He also pointed to the challenges of funding the authority’s operations, citing a decline in funding due to a waiver of the Environment Levy tax and a drop in visitor payments during the summer.
He emphasized the need to protect funding sources, especially with the upcoming hurricane season.
Despite these challenges, drain clearings and gutter flushing operations are ongoing to address flooding issues in various areas.
Isn’t it ironic and a total fshame that Antigua’s nastiest residents are usually among the first to blame the Government and everybody else for their unhealthy living conditions and health issues. They continue to flood the MSJMC draining MBS as they demand immediate attention for their illnesses many of which stem from their own nasty health habits like the indiscriminate dumping of their waste and garbage. It’s truly sickening to have to live among such people and still refer to them as “brother”.