Charlestown-Nevis- A brief but significant ceremony was held at the Sanitary Landfill site, located at t Long point, on the morning of Thursday 8th September.
On that day, a set of custom-designed heavy equipment was commissioned for use by the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).
The equipment included two brand new Garbage Disposal trucks; one bulldozer and one excavator.
The ceremony commenced with the playing of the national anthem and the invocation by Pastor Bernard Browne.
The proceedings were ably chaired by Ms. Latoya Jeffers, Secretary of the NSWMA board.
Among those making remarks, were Mr. Andrew Hendrickson, General Manager of the NSWMA who pointed out that the equipment was all factory-made, with specifications given by the NSWMA.
He also thanked all of the partners who made the purchase of the equipment possible, noting that they were not donations, but were all fully paid for by the taxpayers of Nevis.
He also stated that the current build-up of waste material at the front of the site, which is considered by some, an eyesore, will eventually materialize into money, now that the equipment has been acquired.
He made the bold statement that the general public should give the Authority six months and they will certainly see vast improvements at the disposal site.
Chairman of the NSWMA Board, Mr. St. Clair Wallace, gave a historical overview of dumping sites on Nevis, previously referred to as OPEN DUMPS and also gave historical details as to the opening of the Sanitary Landfill and the persons who pioneered the project.
He also formally introduced the other members of the Board of directors who were present.
He further made the promise to the workers that by 2023, a pension plan will be put in place for workers.
Junior Minister in the Ministry of Health, Hon. Hazel Brandy- Williams, being trained in accounting, gave accounting details as to the cost-effectiveness of the purchase.
She stated that over the years, the Authority has spent large sums of money on renting similar equipment and would now be in a position to manage its financial and fiscal position.
She congratulated the NSWMA Board, management, and staff for their hard work over the years and stated that their sacrificial work helps to enhance health on the island.
She also beseeched management to take care of the new equipment, but also to make the best use of the old equipment in their care as well.
Deputy Premier and Acting Premier, Hon. Alexis Jeffers represented the Hon. Premier Mark Brantley, in his absence, in handing over the keys to the equipment.
In his remarks, he also congratulated the NSWA board, management and staff for their tremendous work and opined that Solid Waste Management on the island, has certainly improved over the last five years, despite the many challenges.
He indicated that the new equipment will also lower the cost of fuel and maintenance and beseeched the workers to take good care of them.
He was quick to point out that other trucks acquired by the Authority, were either via donations or through projects, but that this newly acquired equipment were bought by the people of Nevis.
He also added to the notion of the equipment being custom made, by indicating that printed on the trucks were the words: ‘Donated by the Nevis Island Administration and they also have the logo of the NIA embedded next to the words.
The actual handing over of the keys then took place, with Deputy Premier Jeffers handing over to Minister Brandy-Williams, who in turn handed over to Chairman of the Board, Mr. St. Clair Wallace, who in turn handed them to the General Manager, Mr. Andrew Hendrickson and he, in turn, handed them to the Operations Manager at the Landfill, Mr. Rudy Browne.
The equipment was then blessed by Pastor Bernard Browne and the Operations Manager at the landfill, Mr. Rudy Browne, presented the vote of thanks.
He also later conducted a brief demonstration as to the workings of the equipment