NSWMA Receives Four New Water Tenders to Strengthen Island-Wide Sanitation and Emergency Response

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has expanded its fleet with four new water tenders as the Government works to build the agency's day-to-day capacity and its readiness for emergencies.

At a handover event on Tuesday, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie said the units reflect sustained state spending on the NSWMA that dates back to 2016.

"We have given to the organisation more than 130 trucks in various forms over the last 10 years, which is unprecedented in the history of the National Solid Waste Management Authority," McKenzie said.

The minister pointed out that the water tenders arrive after 10 tipper trucks were delivered last year, equipment that remains in use clearing debris islandwide in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

McKenzie said the added machinery would support regular sanitation work and sharpen the Government's response when water supplies are interrupted or when natural disasters strike.

"One organisation that never got any rest during Melissa was Solid Waste," he said, noting that the new trucks would help keep public services running during crises and aid recovery in hard-hit areas.

Each of the four operational regions will receive one of the vehicles. McKenzie also said the Government plans to buy four more water trucks in the upcoming financial year.

"We understand that when Solid Waste is properly equipped, it makes life easier in executing its responsibilities. It doesn't make sense to talk about Solid Waste and what we expect from Solid Waste. They have to have the tools to do the work," he said.

John Ralston, managing director of supplier Tank-Weld Equipment Ltd, said the trucks were acquired to meet sanitation demands that go well beyond household garbage pickup.

"People think that it's just a garbage collection service, but it's not. It's all sanitation and with sanitation you need water," Ralston said.

He said the versatile units can help extinguish fires at disposal sites, supply water to government buildings, and keep dust down on roads.

(From left) Rev Delroy Harris; Audley Gordon, executive director NSWMA; Sheenique Johnson, deputy executive director NSWMA; Desmond Mckenzie, minister of Local Government; and Omar Sweeney, NSWMA board chairman at the NSWMA water trucks handover ceremony at the agency's head office in Kingston on Tuesday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)