Bahamas News
12-24-04, - 12:28 AM
Officials Warn Against Illegal Holiday Dumping
By Perez Clarke
The Bahama Journal
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It’s that time of year when some homeowners go to extreme lengths to ensure that their properties are immaculate for the holiday season, but government officials say as a result indiscriminate dumping also peaks.
“There is no particular group of persons that can be [named] as prime suspects for indiscriminate dumping,” said Ron Pinder, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Health and Environment.
“It can be a person [who] is just changing furniture, home renovation or just simply getting rid of an old Christmas tree. It could be a private hauler who is irresponsible enough not to take the debris to the Harrold Road facility. It could be a business, a construction company or any number of persons.”
Mr. Pinder urged members of the public to report individuals suspected of dumping to the proper authorities and pointed to the public health risks that the problem could create.
“Whenever there is indiscriminate dumping or improper disposal of waste or garbage sitting for an extended period of time there is a proliferation of vector and rodents such as flies and rats,” he said.
“A significant number of Bahamians have been affected by that. Therefore, at the end of the day a clean and healthy environment simply safeguards the health of the entire community. When individuals dump indiscriminately they impact the country more significantly than people think.”
Deloris Treco-Wells, a resident of Cool Acres since 1973, said that her neighbourhood has recently become a prime site for illegal dumping. She said that she has lobbied to the authorities without any success to have cameras installed or even a regular patrol of the area to ensure that illegal dumping does not persist.
“Across the street from my house there is an uninhabited piece of property that seems to be the new city dump,” she said.
“They dump dead dogs and cats, shingles from the roof and old appliances. This past week I went out to the doctor and while passing this area I saw piles of old mattresses, bureaus, and dozens of black bags filled with trash.”
Mr. Pinder reminded that it is also possible for property owners to dump illegally on their own properties. That form of dumping is referred to as improper storage of waste and it is most common among local mechanics, he said.
Mr. Pinder added that individuals suspected of illegal dumping are arraigned before the Environmental Court which meets monthly, and could face fines of up to $10,000, jail time or both.
By Perez Clarke
The Bahama Journal
http://www.jonesbahamas.com/data/images/news/categories/GARBAGE-PILE-OFF-HANNA-ROAD.jpg
It’s that time of year when some homeowners go to extreme lengths to ensure that their properties are immaculate for the holiday season, but government officials say as a result indiscriminate dumping also peaks.
“There is no particular group of persons that can be [named] as prime suspects for indiscriminate dumping,” said Ron Pinder, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Health and Environment.
“It can be a person [who] is just changing furniture, home renovation or just simply getting rid of an old Christmas tree. It could be a private hauler who is irresponsible enough not to take the debris to the Harrold Road facility. It could be a business, a construction company or any number of persons.”
Mr. Pinder urged members of the public to report individuals suspected of dumping to the proper authorities and pointed to the public health risks that the problem could create.
“Whenever there is indiscriminate dumping or improper disposal of waste or garbage sitting for an extended period of time there is a proliferation of vector and rodents such as flies and rats,” he said.
“A significant number of Bahamians have been affected by that. Therefore, at the end of the day a clean and healthy environment simply safeguards the health of the entire community. When individuals dump indiscriminately they impact the country more significantly than people think.”
Deloris Treco-Wells, a resident of Cool Acres since 1973, said that her neighbourhood has recently become a prime site for illegal dumping. She said that she has lobbied to the authorities without any success to have cameras installed or even a regular patrol of the area to ensure that illegal dumping does not persist.
“Across the street from my house there is an uninhabited piece of property that seems to be the new city dump,” she said.
“They dump dead dogs and cats, shingles from the roof and old appliances. This past week I went out to the doctor and while passing this area I saw piles of old mattresses, bureaus, and dozens of black bags filled with trash.”
Mr. Pinder reminded that it is also possible for property owners to dump illegally on their own properties. That form of dumping is referred to as improper storage of waste and it is most common among local mechanics, he said.
Mr. Pinder added that individuals suspected of illegal dumping are arraigned before the Environmental Court which meets monthly, and could face fines of up to $10,000, jail time or both.