Hanover’s garbage disposal woes intensify post-Melissa

Western Bureau:

The garbage collection woes, which has been plaguing Hanover over recent times, has intensified since the passage of Hurricane Melissa, leaving business operators and residents frustrated as garbage continues to pile up around them.

Additionally, the outbreak of leptospirosis, which has surfaced as a national issue since the October 28 passage of the hurricane, has sparked even greater concern. Some 17 suspected cases of the disease have been reported in Hanover in recent weeks.

“Since Hurricane Melissa, we in the Chester Castle Division are having serious issues with the level of non-collection of household garbage, and I would like for us to get a schedule for the collection going forward,” said Councillor Wynter McIntosh, who represents the division in the Hanover Municipal Corporation.

According to McIntosh, who was speaking during the corporation’s recent monthly meeting, the buildup of garbage has attracted rats and stray animals, which is creating fear of leptospirosis.

Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels, in commenting on McIntosh’s concern, told the meeting that the garbage situation has got so bad that persons have started to burn their garbage in some communities, citing a recent situation in Pell River, where the dumpster was set on fire.

“After Hurricane Beryl in 2024, there was a programme from Government to clear waste. I am now wondering why that programme is not put back in place,” said Samuels.

In explaining the non-collection of garbage, Andrew Walker, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) officer who attended the meeting, said that like the residents, the agency is also suffering from the impact of the hurricane.

“We are now down to seven trucks from 12,” explained Walker, pointing out that five of the NSWMA’s trucks, which were parked in the Catherine Hall area of Montego Bay during the passing of the hurricane, suffered floodwater damage.

However, Walker said that despite the reduced number of trucks, the NSWMA is currently making every effort to properly service the western region and is calling for more patience on the part of residents.

However, Walker’s statement sparked very little sympathy for the NSWMA, as the fear of leptospirosis, a deadly bacterial disease which is spread commonly through the urine of infected rats and other animals, took centre stage, alongside the fear of being infected by contaminated water.

Reports have indicated that approximately 91 suspected cases of the disease have been reported nationally up to December 10. There have been 30 confirmed cases alongside seven confirmed deaths. A report tabled by the Hanover Health Department at the meeting stated that there are some 17 suspected cases in that parish.

“I am seeing some rats coming out of the garbage heaps, they are larger than usual,” a taxi driver told The Gleaner, while a resident of Orange Hill is accusing the NSWMA of only clearing the garbage dumpsters along the main roads and are not going into the adjoining communities.

Amid the leptospirosis concerns, the HHD said it was partnering with the HMC to implement a rodent control and eradication programme across the parish.

editorial@gleanerjm.com