Support the clean-up

Last Wednesday, like a New Year’s blessing, a nationwide, government- driven clean-up campaign was announced by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kazim Hosein at the San Fernando City Corporation, in the company of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and a large group of regional corporation and ministry officials.

I now feel obliged to show appreciation and, given the enormity of this increasingly nasty situation, ask support for this six-month clean-up crusade from contractors, beverage manufacturers and the business sector, proprietors, government agencies from CEPEP, Solid Waste Management Company to the relevant ministries and 14 municipalities.

The Contractors Association - including Coosal, Jusamco, from small to big - all those “bottled water” manufacturers, the various Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations – from Port-of-Spain, Chaguanas, Tunapuna to Siparia and Debe – this is a golden opportunity for the nation to rise and serve in a most deserving cause.

Rubbish and its related lawlessness affect all of us. Flexing his prosecutorial muscle, Mr Al-Rawi warned: “The laws will be applied stringently after our clean-up campaign has kicked in.” And that’s where this nasty problem started. There are already relevant laws all over the place to prevent and even prosecute – the Environmental Management Authority, regional and municipal corporations, Solid Waste Management, Town and Country. How effective has the litter wardens’ programme been? So much tax-payers money spent all around and so little in return.

And here comes the critical post- 1962 question: Who is responsible? Minister Hosein promises: “This clean-up campaign involves removal of derelict vehicles, taking down all dilapidated buildings, getting rid of old tyres, batteries, cleaning underground drains, cleaning up of open lots, basically it’s cleaning up the country.” Excellent, but hold on a while.

Three things here. One, a nation- wide project of this magnitude with so many intended government agencies, private sector groups and volunteers will require strategic leadership and structure. Certainly, it would be counterproductive and confusing to have large crowds of enthusiastic people just bouncing against one another. The former San Fernando Mayor, Minister Hosein, has an impressive “national task force” comprising several government agencies. Hopefully, they have been told precisely what to do, and they do have an organizational plan with allocated responsibilities, time-schedules, outcome measures, etc. Because after the six-month period, there must be a big difference after which Mr Al-Rawi’s punishment will likely be executed.

Two, where are the public dustbins around Port-of-Spain and the other cities and districts? Why is there not an improved level of mechanized garbage-disposal where, for example, the organized piles of heavy garbage can be properly taken up with appropriately mechanised vehicles rather than leaving them scattered by willing but unable “rubbish-truck men.” After the six-month period, sanitation must be sustainably improved on all sides – by business, citizens and yes, government agencies.

Three, punish the miscreants but provide a reasonable level of garbage disposal facilities too. For example, while it’s true some people do dump their stoves and fridges recklessly on the roadside, there should be a series of decentralised containers for such stuff with appropriate pick-up periods.

Laws must have an element of justice in them. A relevant branch of criminology is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). It is notable the extent to which community breakdown and fragmentation contribute to unsightly rubbish heaps and lawlessness.

Squatting is a prime example.

It may be helpful if the clean-up crews could be given a basic course in CPTED.

Three weeks ago, Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation CEO, Mr Motilal Ramsingh, and several officials launched a “turf rake” mechanized scooper to help clean up the beach. That is a good and very welcome sign. In Minister Hosein’s clean-up promises, we heard nothing about the rivers and beaches. Caura River and Maracas Bay are two ugly examples. Once so beautiful and inviting, now so ugly and unclean.

Why? Aren’t our beaches and rivers an essential part of our eco-tourism drive? Many beaches are already lavishly littered and “mang ydog” populated.

So here is a n a t i o n - al cause.

Let’s all give support – one way or another.