October was National Clean up Month in Antigua and Barbuda and already we have seen the National Solid Waste and other entities making moves to beautify the country.

These moves will continue throughout the rest of the year despite the clean up month coming to an end.

Cabinet Spokesperson Maurice Merchant explained that due to the high volume of garbage, more time is needed for clean up.

“Unfortunately, the National Solid Waste and all of its service providers were overwhelmed by the level of garbage that was required to be removed from certain areas. In particular, the concerns about the derelict vehicles. It stretched the National Solid Waste to a point whereby it is now asking individuals with the capability of removing these derelict vehicles to come forward, to, to be a part of the process to remove these derelict vehicles. There are so many derelict vehicles across the country,” Merchant said.

Still derelict vehicles are being identified and marked.

Removal, however, is taking some time and according to Merchant the NSWMA is “looking at increasing its resources by bringing in service individuals who have low boys and flatbeds to remove these vehicles from across the country”.

“The first month there was concentration on, on, on particular areas. What the Solid Waste and the Ministry of Health and the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force wants to do is to have simultaneous removals of waste and these derelict vehicles from various communities. So, while it’s happening in, let’s say, Grays Farm, it’s happening in Cassada Gardens at the same time.

Cleaning of drains and cutting of grass will also be done.