Kingston’s Mayor, Councillor Andrew Swaby, has emphasized the need for businesses to establish proper arrangements with reputable service providers for commercial waste disposal. This call to action was made during a recent Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) meeting held at the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber in downtown Kingston.
“We are committed to supporting businesses as they are crucial to our economy, but we cannot tolerate the inadequate waste disposal practices currently being employed by some operators,” Mayor Swaby stated. He highlighted issues such as informal disposal methods where waste is dumped on vacant lots, sidewalks, and public spaces by handcart men.
In response to these concerns, the KSAMC launched a joint compliance and enforcement initiative in the downtown business district over the summer. This drive, involving the KSAMC revenue team and key partners like Tax Administration Jamaica, National Solid Waste Management Authority, Public Health Department, Jamaica Fire Brigade, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, aimed to ensure businesses are meeting their waste management responsibilities.
“The primary objective was to verify that business operators have proper arrangements with reputable waste collection services,” Mayor Swaby explained. He added that prior to these inspections, he and the Chief Executive Officer of the KSAMC met with the Chinese Ambassador to address the high number of businesses owned by Chinese nationals. “I appreciate the Ambassador’s willingness to help by sharing this information through their networks. To overcome language barriers, we have also engaged a translator to facilitate better communication,” he noted.
The mayor assured that the initiative is ongoing, with unannounced visits planned for other business establishments throughout the municipality to enforce compliance and promote proper waste disposal practices.
