This announcement came as a result of routine checks around the island carried out by Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health Ron Pinder.
The Ministry, he said, has to find more creative ways in which to enforce the law and ” that’s just the bottom line. People are only inclined to obey laws where there are penalties, and a consistency of punishment and fines, and also where there is a consistency in enforcement; and also too, where they see the benefit of abiding by those laws.”
The Guardian, however, was in the area of Faith Gardens on Sunday. In a bushy area near the entrance of the subdivision, a big red sign was hoisted on a tree reading, “Environmental Health, No Dumping”.
Ironically, right in front of this sign was garbage from a sofa, computer, washers, crates, mattresses, fans, and old tires.
In a telephone interview with Mr. Pinder, he said the reason why the electronic system has not been implemented as yet is because the Ministry is gathering information on the logistics of a system that would be suitable for New Providence, and with regard to its cost.
“It is a costly venture, but I think it would be worth it if we are able to get three systems up and running in three isolated areas. Where we can at least bring some persons before the courts and we can show that there is a cost benefit factor to the whole exercise,” he said.
“Really it speaks to the fact that we have to re-double our efforts in dealing with indiscriminate dumping in particular. I think persons are bent on discarding garbage despite the laws and other legal penalties. But when I saw it, it spoke to the fact that manpower alone can’t do it. We need some sort of electronic surveillance in those areas, particularly those areas that are not well lit, or those areas that are isolated.”
He said he spoke with some of the residents of Faith Gardens who told him that everyday, there is a new pile of garbage along that street.
However, he said, residents in areas with indiscriminate dumping, should also be more responsible for protecting their area because the Government cannot do it alone.
” Crime watch associations not only have to look out for would be criminals whose intent is to break, enter and steal other people’s possessions, but also criminals who are intent on breaking the law and dump indiscriminately, because that is what these people are,” Mr. Pinder said.
” I think once people begin to view it in that light and appreciate that environmental laws are criminal offenses, for they are part of the criminal Penal Code, I think persons willingness to dump indiscriminately will be reduced and also people’s willingness to just sit back and turn a blind eye to indiscriminate dumping will be reduced.”
Mr. Pinder said that it bothers him personally when he observes just how much the community has disregarded keeping the environment clean, but it is apart of the education process.
He said for too long the environment, as it relates to garbage collection, the disposal of solid waste, vector control, as well as persons abiding by health inspection regulations and best food practices have been an afterthought.
“It has just been pushed to the side. Persons have not in the past, recognized the important role that the environment plays in our well being. It’s a real sad occasion when you go in areas, and it’s (Faith Gardens) a newly developed subdivision, and it’s a middle class subdivision, and you find people who are willing to dump indiscriminately.”
Mr. Pinder said it unknown whether the residents of the various subdivisions are dumping the trash themselves, but they must be more vigilant in safeguarding their property value.
The Government has spent millions of dollars over the last five or six years to provide an adequate facility for such dumping said Mr. Pinder.
“We continue to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars every week in developing and maintaining proper bulk waste and household garbage disposal facilities. That is located at the Harrold Road Landfill site and the Construction and Demolition Site. Also located there is the sewerage disposal facility which again back in 1996, the Government of the Bahamas spent an enormous amount of money to develop. And this Government has committed a large sum of money for the maintenance of those facilities out there. It cost us a significant amount of money to maintain them,” said Mr. Pinder.
By Vanessa C. Rolle, The Nassau Guardian
