No cost to State in clean-up campaign

Speaking after the launch of the clean-up campaign in San Fernando on Saturday, Hosein said the government had to bear the cost for minor items like advertising and food for those who volunteered.

“But the volunteer contractors,” he added, “have every weekend put out at least $200,000 to $300,000, and we have over 15 contractors on board so it is costing them a lot.” Some of the 15 contractors include Junior Sammy Group of Companies, Laing Sandblasting & Painting Co, KallCo Ltd, Coosal’s Group of Companies, Namalco Group of Companies, Fides Ltd, TN Ramnauth & Company Limited, General Earth Movers Ltd, Seereeram Bros Ltd and Lakshmi Singh Transport Contractors.

Dozens of trucks from the respective contracting companies made their way around San Fernando over the weekend to remove bulk waste, tear down derelict buildings and clear drains and waterways.

Hosein said that the full cost of the campaign as well as its effectiveness, would be reported to the country via Parliament at the end of the campaign.

“What I have realised since this thing started is that it is bringing all the races together, all the political parties together, the rich and the poor. I would really like to see this continue,” Hosein said adding that a national educational campaign would be conducted in schools to foster a spirit of cleanliness among the youth.

On another issue, Minister Hosein said he has asked his Permanent Secretary to write the Regional Corporation CEOs to instruct litter wardens to start enforcing relevant laws.

“The litter wardens do work but they are not doing the amount of work they are supposed to do,” Hosein said. He continued, “Instead of working two and three hours for the day they need to be working for a full day and get the job done and they will be out there to ensure they charge the people who go against the law.” On the matter of increasing the numbers of municipal police, Hosein said that over 2,000 applications for 1,200 vacant positions were received since advertisements were put out. Interviews would be conducted over the coming weeks, he said.