KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has received 11 compactor garbage trucks, valued at approximately US$1.74 million, from the Government.

The handover ceremony was held yesterday at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in Kingston.

The NSWMA’s regional entities, Southern Parks and Markets (SPM) Waste Management Limited will receive three units; North Eastern Parks and Markets (NEPM) Waste Management Limited, two units; Western Parks and Markets (WPM) Waste Management Limited, three units; and Metropolitan Parks and Markets (MPM) Waste Management Limited, four units.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, in his address at the ceremony said the Government remains committed in its thrust “to protect the natural beauty of the country and ensure a clean and safe environment for the citizens”.

“This is now 42 units that the NSWMA would have received in less than three and a half years,” he said.

The minister added that the Government is cognisant of the need to improve the stock of the NSWMA, noting that an additional 100 trucks are to be leased from contractors.

“The procurement process is now underway. We are going to open up the system to enable people who are qualified to provide the service,” he said.