Clean up campaign gathers pace

As the clean up campaign continues around the island, around 11.8 tons of bulk waste was collected just last week.

The National Solid Waste Authority continued their work in the Yorks Area.

“We would have cleared 53 lots, 53 vacant lots that have been overgrown. We’re counting the lots, so 53 lots. You would be quite surprised once you start moving branches, moving trees, what you would find behind in terms of bulk, the amount of bushes, the amount of things left to just overgrow. It is quite alarming,” General Manager of National Solid Waste Authority Indira James Henry updated.

“In terms of the total amount of vehicles being removed now, we’re at 88, and that comprises of Villa and Yorks thus far. So, we have some ways to go with that and then in terms of tree cutting, we have cut that whole Fort James Drive going right down.

“We have even gone into the Fort James area where we have the tourist areas. We have cleaned out all that, cleared all the land, picked up everything. So,even going around Runaway, we’ve had some incidences with robberies and so on. So, it accumulated into one, that whole stretch on both sides that is now cleared of any overhanging debris, trees, and everything. It’s a clear path right now. It’s looking quite beautiful and it’s also adding to the safety of the community as well,” James- Henry added.

Collection is set to move to the Villa and Point Area.

The initiative is aimed at improving the physical appearance of Antigua and Barbuda while addressing long-standing health and security risks. Abandoned vehicles, often left to rust along roadsides or empty lots, have been a major concern for communities across the country.

As part of the process, inspectors mark the derelict vehicles with an “X,” giving owners notice and an opportunity to remove them voluntarily. If no action is taken, government crews deploy heavy-duty equipment to haul away the disused vehicles for proper disposal.

Officials say the campaign’s success relies heavily on public cooperation. The government is urging residents to take greater responsibility for their surroundings and to support the nationwide effort to restore community spaces