GSWMA recognizes contributors to its successes
The Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority is this year celebrating ten years since its establishment in December 1996.The Authority which came into being with the passage of the Solid Waste Management Authority Act of 1995 saw the transition of solid waste services from the Ministry of Health to the newly established statutory body.
To mark its tenth anniversary, the Authority plans to give recognition to individuals and corporate institutions who have contributed towards its successes with the staging of an Awards function and Launch of the Authority's web site.
Among individuals to be honoured is Mr. Roy St. John, Retired General Manager, who served in the position from the inception of the Authority to 1998 and who was instrumental in the introduction of privatised garbage collection services and landfilling operations.
The Authority will also present awards to GRENLEC, Grenada Ports Authority and Grenada Airports Authority who have helped significantly in the implementation of the Environmental Levy, which serves as the main financial supporting mechanism for the GSWMA.
Other Corporate body support awards and supporting institution awards will be presented to stakeholder bodies along with long service recognition.
The Award ceremony and cocktail reception is planned for Friday 26th January 2007 at Grenada Trade Center Annex Building.
Recent spate of bin fires causing concern to GSWMA and The Fire Service Unit of the RGPF
The Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority has expressed concerns over an escalation in the incidents of bin burning mainly in the south of the island.These concerns have been echoed by officers of Central Police Fire Division who appeared in the local media to voice dissatisfaction over the disregard shown by persons in the affected communities to heed calls to cease the practice.
The Fire department reported having responded to several calls in recent weeks to extinguish fires to burning bins.
While most receptacles which were burnt were concrete structures, the Solid Waste Authority reported that several of its green plastic wheel carts were also destroyed as a result of fires.
The Authority has expressed concern over the fact that fires have served in a significant way to cause the crumbling of bins due to weakened structural walls, it slows down the collection service as burning or smoldering waste must be extinguished before collection and it places workers at risk of injury.
GSWMA fine-tuning plans for waste management during World Cup Cricket
General Manager of the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority, Mr. Selby Da Breo says the GSWMA is putting the final touches to its waste management plan for garbage collection during the World Cup Event in April this year.Mr. Da Breo stated that the plan is taking into consideration waste transportation from the main event venue, Grenada National Stadium, possibility of changes to the collection service for residential waste collection from communities neighbouring the stadium, increased waste generation by the hotel/hospitality sector and waste management in the towns.
At a recent general staff meeting, the General Manager stated that the Authority is fully prepared to handle the increase in waste generation expected as a result of visitor arrivals during the staging of matches in Grenada.