City Hall to save millions on garbage contracts with acquisition of new trucks – Solid Waste Director

With the acquisition of new trucks, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is moving closer to independent solid waste collection. This is according to M&CC Solid Waste Director, Walter Narine. In an invited comment with Kaieteur News, the Director of Solid Waste disclosed that the council purchased four compactor trucks and other necessary equipment while noting that it is exploring ways to alleviate the hefty bill with two main garbage contractors — Puran Brothers and Cevon’s Waste Management.

The most recent acquisition was the $34.8 million garbage compactor truck which was presented to the Council by Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms. Annette Ferguson on Wednesday

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He explained that the trucks were handed over to the council along with other machinery including a John Deere tractor and dump trailer. Kaieteur News understands that these were handed over to City Hall as part of Government’s 2019 subvention to that municipality. The total cost of the equipment stands at approximately $9 million. Narine noted that the trucks and trailer are all in working condition, and are being used to help clear up different wards in the city. “We have four trucks, we need at least 10. That should be enough to operate on our own,” he added. He explained that the acquisition of the machinery is all a part of plans by the M&CC to cease paying contractors to pick up solid waste around the City, and instead, provide this service itself.

Narine noted however that the Council has active contracts with the two collectors which are expected to expire in October. “So, we have to honour that agreement. However, we have been coming up with strategies to reduce the contract cost in light of the fleet of trucks under our control. It is our hope that in time, we would be free of the contractors,” Narine said. He said that this would help save the Council millions of dollars per year. At present, City Hall pays approximately $32M per month to Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons’ Waste Management for their services.

( Kaieteur News )