In response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, Western Parks and Markets (WPM), the regional division of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to address the issue of downed trees in western Jamaica. Edward Muir, Regional Operations Manager for WPM, detailed the plan in an interview with Observer Online, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Muir explained that WPM has leased a property near Retirement in Montego Bay, initially intended for constructing a garage for their fleet. However, given the current crisis, the site will temporarily serve as a storage location for tree cuttings. This decision aims to ensure that household waste can still be processed at the landfill without obstruction. The Retirement Disposal site, adjacent to the leased property, is currently overwhelmed and unable to accommodate additional waste, particularly tree debris.
‘At present, the disposal site is saturated, and we cannot allow tree cuttings to impede our operations,’ Muir stated. He assured that once the cleanup process is complete, the stored tree cuttings will be relocated to the disposal site for proper management.
The initiative coincides with a large-scale cleanup operation in Catherine Hall and Westgreen, areas of Montego Bay severely affected by flooding and mud accumulation. WPM remains committed to restoring normalcy as swiftly as possible, contingent on the progress of ongoing efforts.