Health Minister Senator Dr. Marcus Bethel Thursday stressed the Ministry's commitment to "environmentally sound" collection of solid waste in New Providence.
He also assured that the garbage collection route will be transformed to a bi-weekly service and that the bulk waste collection programme will be strengthened to provide regular removal services for discarded furniture and appliances.
The Minister made a first year report to the nation last night on radio and television.
Dr. Bethel said the erection of landfills in North and South Andros, Abaco, Great Exuma Cay, Cat Island and Inagua will assist in the management of waste in these Family Islands.
"In an effort to rid Bimini, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Abaco and Exuma of the numerous abandoned vehicles and machinery…. greater emphasis will also be placed on the prosecution of persons indiscriminately disposing of derelict vehicles," said Dr. Bethel.
Dr. Bethel pointed out the Ministry's role in the urban re-development project that removed 6,416 derelict vehicles, cleared overgrown properties and abandoned buildings. He said next year the programme will be expanded to the Family Islands.
During the course of the year, the maintenance of public parks, streets and public spaces were also addressed, the minister pointed out.
He said the Ministry has in place a national cleanliness programme that is directed toward changing the behaviour and atttitudes of children, youth and the adults in the country. It is designed to heightened public awareness programme, and to make Bahamians more knowledgable of the environment.
"My Ministry in the past year has cleaned up the illegal Haitian villages carting away in excess of 60 tons of garbage and debris, and established a sustainable garbage collectiontion system in all of these villages," Dr. Bethel said
The Minister said to address the social issues, including crime, government agencies introduced the Farm Road and Bain/Grants Town Urban Renewal Project to join police officers and locals to pinpoint offences and other contributors to social ills in their communities.
The Health Minister also mentioned that the National Health Insurance Commission, appointed in August 2002 to review the development of a phased National Health Insurance scheme, has filed a report, which is presently before Cabinet.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian ,/B>
