Frans: Roy needs to
explain garbage piles
PHILIPSBURG--Inconsistent collection of garbage, especially in the larger districts of Dutch Quarter and St. Peters, needs to be remedied before serious health hazards are created, National Alliance (NA) Island Councilman Frans Richardson told The Daily Herald Monday.
“I have received numerous calls from residents in Belvedere, Dutch Quarter, St. Peters and other neighbourhoods for the past few days about the garbage situation. I didn’t realise the situation was as bad as it is until I drove through the areas,” Richardson said.
“I would not like to believe that this is some sort of protest by the small local garbage collectors who cannot meet the high requirements of the new garbage contracts put on bid by previous Public Works Commissioner [Roy Marlin].”
A new garbage collection system, which requires smaller trucks to access hilly areas and a more streamlined schedule, among other items, has been designed for the island.
Contractors have already submitted bids for the new requirements. However, there has been talk about the entire system being scrapped because of its astronomical cost to tax payers and government. It is estimated to cost about NAf. 20 million in the initial stages, while the current cost is some NAf. 3million.
Richardson said the onus is on Marlin to explain the situation with the garbage contracts and what exactly is going on with the collection at present as this is part of his legacy. “It is not fair for the new Public Works Commissioner [Theo Heyliger] to explain, he just got the job.”
For over a month, garbage collection in the districts has been infrequent, leaving residents to live with large piles on roadsides and in front of their homes. The problem was supposed to be rectified when a new distribution of routes was drawn up last week. However, the collectors were not accustomed to the routes, causing continued piling up.
To remedy the situation, additional trucks were brought in from the French side Monday to start clearing the backlog, according to the Public Works Department.
