[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority, in collaboration with the Environmental Health Division in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has embarked on the removal of 364 derelict vehicles from the island’s roadways. 81 vehicles, or 22%, have already been removed. The call is being made for greater participation and co-operation from vehicle owners. Davis Mathurin is the Zonal Officer with the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority and said, “It’s a month to month basis and we’re aiming to remove at least between 18-20 vehicles every month. I know it’s going to take a while but we are at least urging the public to meet us half way. The ministry is doing the public education part. The Environmental Department, the vector division, Solid Waste, is also doing its part in terms of removing the vehicles, so we’re urging the public to be aware. Be more conscious of your surroundings, be aware that there is a lot of work being done by the various agencies and, as individuals, you can at least play your part.”
Under the Waste Management Act Section 38 of 2004, an authorized officer may at any time without giving any notice remove the derelict vehicle, white goods or any other kind of scrap metal left or caused to be left and may recover from the owner thereof the expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such removal. However, despite the provisions under the law, officials are appealing for co-operation from the public.
Environmental Health Officer, Charletta Charles said, “The individuals, especially if they’re planning to do some work on their vehicles, we also encourage them that when you’re done doing the work on the vehicles, within a timely manner your responsibility is to at least transport the derelicts to the landfill. Do not leave them on the roadside. In most cases when you try to find the owners it’s always a difficulty until the day the vehicle is being removed and then there is always an issue.”
Charletta Charles said abandoned vehicles create active or potential breeding sites for vectors such as rats and mosquitoes which are responsible for the spread of diseases like leptospirosis, dengue, chikungunya and zika.
She continued, “What we want to do is to encourage persons, if you have a vehicle which is no longer of use for you, that you need to get rid of it appropriately and not inappropriately. What it does is it creates other environmental spin-offs which can affect the larger community on a whole. So we’re just hoping that the community realizes the negative impact that abandoned vehicles can have on our health and that they would take the necessary steps to get rid of not just the abandoned vehicles but overall their garbage responsibly.”
Earlier this week officials directed the removal of this abandoned vehicle in the north of the island, creating one less breeding site for vectors.
