ACTING Town Clerk Carol Sooba has confirmed that the contracts of Dartmouth and Cevon’s Waste Management companies have been terminated.

She said they have cost the City Council millions of dollars over time and there were still numerous complaints about the garbage situation.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, she said the municipality cannot afford to expend so much money for persons to throw garbage into compactors.
She said the contractors were engaged to pick up garbage at markets and contiguous areas but the M&CC employees had to end up doing the work and that could not continue.
As such, Sooba said the Council made the decision to use the Government subvention, of $20M granted last year, along with its funds, to acquire a compactor to remedy the situation.
She maintained that, as Town Clerk, she acted in accordance with the law and, through an attorney, she ended the contracts giving both contractors one month’s notice.
Sooba explained that the compactors stationed at the two markets will see persons having no difficulties in paying additional monies, which was also a complaint.

LARGE BINS
She outlined that the Ministry assisted the Council by providing a number of large bins and the municipality has also purchased some, which will be placed at various locations to assist with garbage collection.
Sooba disclosed that the Local Government Ministry is also on board to help with the garbage situation in the city.
According to her, City Hall has not been benefitting from its Public Relations Department, in attempts to establish an awareness programme to educate persons about littering.
She urged persons to curb the bad habit of littering and “have some pride” in their city and not taint it.
Sooba added that, if the protest, led by the Mayor some time ago, was focused on improving the garbage situation in the city, the Administration would have been very happy.
Nevertheless, she said she is extending a hand to the Mayor to join with the “decent minded” councillors for the restoration of the city.

(By Savitri Laikram )