Opposition concerned about lack of accountability at NSWMA
Kingston, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed concern about the lack of accountability at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).
The party in a news release on Wednesday said that as Jamaicans brace themselves for another massive round of new taxes from the Government, the NSWMA, a critical state agency, seems to be failing in its management.
Former minister of local government and community development, Noel Arscott, raised concerns about information reaching the public, in relation to the mismanagement at the NSWMA’s head office and the regional office of the North Eastern Parks and Markets (NEPM) Waste Management Limited.
The Opposition spokesperson, in the PNP release, said he is apprehensive about what is being reported as rampant irregularities based on what can only be described as slipshod accountability of the State agency’s fuel, spare parts management, procurement activities and general operations.
“It is alarming to hear of what sounds like blundering and incompetence, while the NSWMA is failing miserably to do one of its core functions, garbage collection,” he added.
Arscott called on the “Government to clean up what seems to be a budding mess at the NSWMA and is also requesting that the Auditor General’s Department take an immediate and keen interest in the general operations of the NSWMA and the NEPM Waste Management Ltd in particular.
“It is unreasonable for Jamaicans to be repeatedly asked by this government to pay a considerable amount of additional taxes, while those responsible are allowing the growing seepage of tax payers’ sacrifice, through either a lack of knowledge or gross incompetence.”
The Opposition further demanded an immediate investigation, and if confirmed, said it expects that the situation should be treated as untenable and the necessary stringent actions be taken.