IT IS NO SURPRISE that garbage collection throughout Barbados has been lacking for some time now. Mounds of garbage have been piling up all over and there have been cries from residents complaining about non-collection. Concerns have also been expressed regarding possible associated environmental and health hazards.
The Sanitation Service Authority(SSA) will now face added pressuregiven the fact that we are now in themidst of our sweetest summer festival – Crop Over. We can expect even more garbage to be generated given the number of events and activities that will be held during the festival.
And while the SSA has been doing a good job over the past years cleaning up after events, especially the national ones, we know there will be mounting pressure on it to ensure that this year there is no deviation from what has become the norm.
With the number of people attending the festivities, both public and private, plus the expected influx of tourists from the Caribbean as well as North America and Europe, garbage will accumulate and all eyes will be on the SSA.
The authority, aware of the expectations this season, has promised that no effort will be spared to keep Barbados clean. Acting manager Shawn Phillips, speaking at a recent event with the National Cultural Foundation and its platinum sponsors, has already recognised the task ahead, especially in light of the current collection problems. Still, he has given the assurance that everything is under control.
The SSA has a vested interest notonly as the Government entity responsible for keeping this country clean, safe and free from any major health and environmental issues, butit also has a major stake in Crop Over as one of its major sponsors.
Phillips outlined a number of new initiatives this year to ensure that their job is executed with precision and efficiency, clearly understanding that this country will be on show to the world through the eyes of international media that will be here to report on the many activities of the festival. In short, Barbados will be displayed to the world and as such, must put onits best face.
There is the pledge by the SSA to bring its truck count back up to almost 20 and we hope this will be done soon. The dirty sights that have been spotted all across Barbados need to be cleaned. We don’t only want to put on a clean face for those on the outside, but it is critical we take more pride in our own country and keep our surroundings, districts and communities clean for ourselves.
This is a timely reminder of the old adage that cleanliness is next to godliness.
