— as private garbage collectors end strike

GEORGETOWN’s major garbage contractors, Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management resumed collection Wednesday even as the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) aims to purchase their own garbage truck.
This is according to Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, who explained that the move will see an end to contracted services in the years ahead.
“I have asked that we look at purchasing our own garbage truck so we don’t find ourselves in this dilemma in the future. I know we have to move gradually to make sure that our workshop is equipped to do repairs,” the mayor said.
She added: “A team has been set up to look at all the details of a new plan even if we have to start with at least two garbage trucks in 2018.”
Chase-Green said last Friday, the services were withdrawn from the M&CC because of a $300M outstanding debt owed to the garbage disposal services.
She noted that in the interim, there were two small contractors working to ensure there was no buildup of waste around the City.
“Within those amount of days, there might have had been some amount of garbage thrown around the place, but there were no large heaps of garbage at our markets and generally around the City,” she said.
She said no money was paid to the contracting agencies yet, but through discussions an agreement was met. The issue of payment is being ironed out and the situation is being rectified, the mayor told reporters.
Solid Waste Management Director, Walter Narine, said the contractors will meet soon on the way forward and the M&CC will be looking to give each household in Georgetown a bin to store their refuse a little longer.
“We will give each household one bin and some plastic bags too, and we intend to start this very soon,” he said.