Contracted garbage collectors suspended their services as of yesterday after City Hall failed to pay the sum of $75 million owing to them.
In a press release issued yesterday, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) said, “Regrettably to date, council is unable to make $75 million available to the contractors.” This resulted in the garbage collectors following through with their planned action the release added. “Council is working assiduously to garner enough money to pay its contractors as well as honour its other financial obligations including the payment of wages and salaries,” the release further stated.
However, City Hall said it has mobilised its own resources to provide temporary collection in the main commercial areas including the abattoir, hospitals and municipal markets. The M&CC is asking citizens for their understanding and patience during this period as it faces a financial crisis.
Last week the garbage collectors—Cevons Waste Management and Puran Brothers— met council officials and gave them the ultimatum to pay up or they will suspend services. The M&CC had until yesterday to come up with at least two months’ pay.
Meanwhile, the following areas are being asked to take note that garbage would not be collected today: Kitty, Sections J&K Campbellville, Newtown Kitty, West and East Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Werk-en-Rust, Wortmanville, Belvoir Court, Prashad Nagar, Jacksonville Waterfront Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt, North and South Cummingsburg Waterfront, Lacytown, Robbstown, Newtown, Bourda, North Cummingsburg, Alberttown, South Ruimveldt Park and Lodge.
On Wednesday, garbage will not be collected in the following areas: Newtown Kitty, Sections A-D Campbellville, East Ruimveldt La Penitence, Robbstown, Sophia, Blygezigt, Lodge Housing Scheme, Lodge, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Shirley Field Ridley Square, Newtown, North and South Cummingsburg, Bourda, Lacytown, Bel Air Promenade, Bel Air, Thorns Drive, Century Palm Gardens, South Ruimveldt Park, Roxanne Burnham Gardens and Guyhoc Gardens.
City Hall did not say what would happen for the rest of the week or how soon it expected to come up with the funds to pay the garbage collectors, who had gone on strike three times last year for the same reason.
