Large piles of scrap metal and derelict vehicles could be seen encumbering busy roadways and parapets in some sections of the city, and this is against the law, a press release from M&CC public relations officer Royston King said.
Last Friday the council served 48-hour notices to those who have their scrap metal operations on its reserves. And engineers attached to M&CC are mobilizing resources to remove all scrap metal from its public facilities.
The release stated further that those who have scrap metals on city reserves should remove them immediately or the council will dispose of such materials as stipulated by the Municipal and District Councils Act: Chapter 28:01.
The improper storage of such metals is posing serious inconvenience and an extreme hazard to motorists as well as pedestrians. Moreover, this damages the shoulders of the council’s roads and parapets, forcing the municipality to consider utilizing its scarce resources to correct the situation, thereby affecting the city treasury.
Some of the materials stored by such dealers could be dangerous to the health of local communities as they consist of harmful chemicals, the release observed. In some cases too the noise caused by the constant banging of such metals creates a nuisance to residents in the affected areas.
According to city records, there are about ten major scrap metal operations in the city, besides many smaller sites in many areas. These operations are springing up overnight in almost every corner of the city, the release noted, and citizens must know that such materials should be stored on private land and not on council reserves.
Meanwhile, the council is also calling on owners of derelict vehicles to remove such encumbrances from its parapets and other reserves. These derelicts, the release added, provide seclusion for criminal elements, particularly in some areas that are without street lights. They also harbour rodents and other public health nuisances in communities.
Last week the municipal engineer department removed over ten derelict vehicles from Lodge and this is an ongoing exercise that will cover all areas of the city, the release added.
