WRITTEN BY: GARFIELD L. ANGUS, MARCH 23, 2022

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has received a grant of US$210,936 from the Embassy of Japan, for the purchase of two compactor trucks.

The grant has been made under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), with the agreement signed at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Hagley Park Road in St. Andrew, on March 22.

Speaking at the ceremony, portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the size of the trucks will “fit nicely” in the work of the NSWMA, enabling access to many of the small lanes in inner-city communities.

“This important grant will continue the process of expanding the fleet of the NSWMA and complement those that have been delayed due to funds diverted to manage the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” he pointed out.

The agency is aiming to improve garbage collection in eight communities – Allman Town, Barbican, Fletcher’s Land, Payneland, Kintyre, Standpipe, Goldsmith Villa, and Grants Pen.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, said he is grateful for the grant, as it will assist the agency “with our mammoth task of keeping Jamaica clean and beautiful”.

Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Masaya Fujiwara, said he is pleased that the hygienic conditions of the targeted communities will be improved, and the GGP initiative is supporting key agencies to strengthen their waste management activities.

“The Government of Japan supports waste management for sustainable development of the urban environment in Jamaica, as well as the country’s policy and legislative framework to reduce plastics and marine litter from land-based activities,” Mr. Fujiwara said.

Since 1995, 121 projects in Jamaica have received funding of $1.4 billion under the GGP, in the areas of agriculture, health, education, emergency care, solid waste management, and community development.