WPM Waste Management Ltd is confronting significant operational hurdles in the wake of a recent hurricane as it strives to reinstate regular garbage collection services throughout Westmoreland, Jamaica. Dramaine Jones, Regional Operations Manager, provided a detailed assessment during the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation’s monthly assembly in Savanna-la-Mar, highlighting the severe impact on both personnel and infrastructure.
The company’s workforce suffered substantial disruption, with approximately 73 local employees experiencing considerable personal impacts from the storm. Jones emphasized that the challenges extended beyond visible damage, noting the psychological and logistical complexities of resuming operations. ‘We encountered difficulties restarting as it required several days to mobilize our team members. Locating personnel and ensuring they were mentally prepared to return to work presented significant obstacles,’ Jones explained.
Despite these setbacks, WPM has achieved partial service restoration with six operational units currently active in the region. However, supplementary contractors remain unable to contribute due to persistent staffing shortages and mechanical failures. The company has successfully recommenced daily sweeping activities in major urban centers and public areas, while cleanup initiatives are progressively expanding to include Savanna-la-Mar town center, Whitehouse, and Waterworks Lane.
Jones conveyed optimism regarding augmented support, revealing that additional resources from other regions are being deployed to address the accumulated waste backlog. This reinforcement is expected to accelerate recovery efforts and facilitate a return to normal service levels across the affected communities.