The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has received 10 new tipper trucks, valued at J$200 million, to strengthen the National Clean-up Programme in parishes impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The units were handed over to the agency by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness during a ceremony at the NSWMA’s headquarters on Half-Way-Tree Road on Tuesday (December 23).

He indicated that the vehicles will be deployed to the western end of the island, particularly to Black River in St. Elizabeth, which was heavily impacted by the hurricane.

“These trucks will be primarily used in the clean-up campaign across the 16 affected constituencies that have been identified,” the prime minister stated, adding that the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has been asked to give special attention to Black River.

He emphasised that the St. Elizabeth capital will require resources beyond those available to the NSWMA or local government, and as such, the UDC will partner with the agency to carry out the extensive clean-up operation required.

“The executive director of the NSWMA has met with the managing director of the UDC, and they are working together to work out a plan to clean up Black River. So, that is moving along smoothly… . We want to ensure that we are compliant with all the rules. The trucks’ first targeted intervention will be in the town of Black River. So you’re going to see these trucks there moving debris over and over and over for a
couple of days until the town is cleaned up,” Holness detailed.

He emphasised that the addition of the 10 new trucks will allow the NSWMA to redeploy vehicles that had been diverted from their core function of collecting municipal waste, enabling them to resume that service.

The prime minister explained that the new trucks will be dedicated to collecting inorganic debris, including zinc, construction materials, wires and fallen light poles.

He pointed out that with 4.8 million tonnes – approximately 480,000 truckloads – of debris left across the island by Hurricane Melissa, the clean-up will be a lengthy process, requiring additional equipment to expand the NSWMA’s capacity.

“We’re going to do another procurement of trucks like what we have here, so that you can have control and proper direction and targeting,” Prime Minister Holness stated.

In his remarks, Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie affirmed that the State has been making steady progress in clearing the debris left behind by Hurricane Melissa.

“The inclusion of these 10 units will help to improve the service flow… and you will be seeing a greater amount of activities starting as quickly as possible,” he informed.

Minister McKenzie shared that in the next financial year’s budget, the government will allocate funds for additional compactor trucks, as well as smaller units designed to serve hard‑to‑reach communities and rural areas.

Meanwhile, executive director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, noted that since the National Clean-up Programme began, the agency has removed approximately 15,000 truckloads of debris.

He emphasised that the 10 new trucks are a timely addition, given the increased demand for capacity during the Christmas season.

Gordon added that the agency is currently sourcing wood chippers to support the debris management programme.