Hosein rubbish war

We have a lot of that all over the country, a challenge which Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein and the regional corporations seem prepared to attack with full force now. But rubbish is also described as absurd ideas or suggestions.

We have these too, keeping the democracy dynamic.

The first definition, “refuse, litter,” can make you physically unhealthy, the second, “absurd ideas,” can make you mentally unhealthy except that often an absurd idea today can become tomorrow’s brilliant idea. But I return to Mr Hosein’s national clean-up crusade.

The Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation is attacking our ugly, rubbish-ridden environment.

There is hope. Growth is about money, development is about health, education, transport etc. But I am now about having a civilised society – about attitudes, collective responsibility and civility.

How civilised are we? The Rio Claro/Mayaro Corporation last Sunday published a big 20 x 15 mm advertisement (Newsday p.30) which sternly warned residents in Mayaro: “Please be advised that pursuant to Public Health Ordinance Ch 12. No 4.

Section 72 (1), the Local Authority for the Regional Corporation has served notices requiring abatement of a nuisance on the following premises found to be in a ruinous and unwholesome state.” Six ruinous and unwholesome premises were publicly listed, four of which I have seen. And believe me, each is an open-house for drug abuse and trafficking, even prostitution.

A few other corporations have issued similar notices. All corporations should implement aggressive rubbish-clearing crusades in this small, lawless country. We need aggressive law enforcement. Too many well-intentioned national campaigns, petitions and marches have aroused big expectations, but soon after…well, you know the story. So I ask, how long will it take for the Rio Claro/Mayaro Corporation to complete the job. Its public notice threatened: “All owners/ agents are expected to comply with the notices.” It added: “Failure to comply may result in the corporation taking the necessary action to abate the nuisance and to recover the cost.” What really does abate the nuisance mean? These long-standing broken-down buildings are enemies of community policing.

So let Minister Hosein and the legally- equipped corporations get cracking - attack these criminogenic structures and other illegal buildings with full force.

It is high time that the authorities put law enforcement into full action and properly equip the prosecution teams. And hope the magistrates and judges understand this nasty problem. Toughen the legislation and education programmes too.

A big idea – hope it’s not an absurd one – is for Mr Hosein and all local government bodies to work up multi-partnership relationships in each community, starting first with members of the Opposition.

A working partnership for sustainable results. This is a national clean-up campaign, not so? At Hosein’s Chaguanas launch, it was Opposition MP Ganga Singh who offered his support, declaring it as a national campaign – for everybody and involving everyone. I encourage both Hosein and Works Minister Rohan Sinanan in leading the charge for public service efficiency.

Remember former works minister Suruj Rambachan opening the much-needed Valencia Bypass? Mr Hosein seems to mean business.

Last week, he warned litter wardens that instead of working two to three hours a day, they should do a full day’s work. Imagine that! That’s a major problem in this country. No proper supervision and accountability! Hosein explained that after a Chaguanas river was cleaned of fridges, stoves and tyres, etc, “lo and behold,” rubbish was found in the same river two weeks later. (Guardian, March 5) How many people were found and charged? This example shows Hosein’s clean-up campaign may not be sustainable. He might win the battle but lose the war. Where are the dumpsters? Island-wide dustbins? The monitoring? The litter wardens? Municipal police? Look Mr Hosein, please work with the relevant agencies to fire those who can’t do their jobs properly.

Include the beaches at Maracas, Toco, Mayaro, etc. And those old cars parked on the streets. And those groceries unlawfully opened a few inches from busy roads? Friends, if we miss fixing public health, education, the e nv i ronment, and of course, crime and pol i c i ng, things will get worse.

Attack with full force now!