P'Town councillor warns of health hazard

THE continuing garbage pile up in certain areas in Princes Town are posing a serious health risk to residents.

Reform / Manahambre councillor Chris Hosein is describing the non-collection of garbage as a “complete and total disgrace and a slap in the face of local government and the people of Princes Town.”

In a media release today, Hosein said garbage had not been collected in certain districts since before Christmas and could be seen piling up outside homes. He said a foul stench has also been emanating from the garbage.

Hosein said the pile-up was as a result of scavenging contractors taking strike action as they had not been paid because of the non-release of funds from the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government to the Princes Town Regional Corporation.

“The people of my district are upset, annoyed, angry and irritated by this issue and I do not blame them. This is beyond unacceptable. We are in the year 2018 and if we cannot get something as basic as garbage collection right, then something has to be fundamentally wrong.

This can be one of two things; either it’s woeful incompetence on the part of the Government or it is blatant victimisation against a UNC-controlled municipal corporation.”

He said the situation can be remedied with “meaningful local government reform, not lip service and certainly not a rushed bill in an attempt to score points before a local government election.”

“If the municipal corporation had the autonomy to pay contractors using its own funds and not have to be knocking at the door of the Ministry of Finance every two days, this would not have happened. We would have gotten so much more done.”