THE National Solid Waste Management Agency (NSWMA) is reporting that it spent 97 per cent more on public cleansing in 2020/21 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and that supplementary fleet costs went up by 21 per cent.

In its annual report for the period, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the agency attributed the increase in its total spending to — among other things — a $209.7 million increase in supplementary fleet costs due to downtime of its own units, increased rates per trip, and increased collection activities.

Public cleansing cost went up by $73.5 million, while its beautification and special projects — an own-source revenue stream — declined, due to the adverse effects of the pandemic, the NSWMA said.

Overall, own-source revenues moved down to $556.3 million or $140 million less than the previous fiscal period. At the same time, the cost to effect repairs to motor vehicles increased to $28.2 million for the year.

The NSWMA noted that the $715 million in its total revenue was due to the drop decrease in own source revenue, and the number of projects undertaken by the Parks and Garden Division.

Subvention to the agency’s four regional companies moved down to $6.17 billion, dropping by $693 million for 2020/21, an additional 10 per cent reduction compared to 2019/20.

Meanwhile, it received special funds to allow for a five per cent increase in salary for regular workers, drivers, general workers, and gratuity paid during the year, as well as for special covering and stockpiling of cover material to reduce the likelihood of fires on landfills.

It also received supplementary funding of $993.4 million to clear urgent public cleansing bills and to satisfy legal obligations.

“The total expense of $7.88 billion, inclusive of depreciation charges of $298.95 million, reflects an increase of $343 million in staff costs and $48 million in property, plant, and equipment, namely for trucks purchased for the regions, and depreciation of the right of use asset. This reflects an increase of 41 per cent of the overall operating expenditure,” the report outlined, while noting that the net base of the NSWMA’s four regional waste management companies stood at $170.8 million at the end of the reporting period, representing a decrease of $869.2 million.

In the meantime, the agency also reports that the $141.7 million deposit on compactors, which was due, has been settled, as has the $75 million on the bailey bridge at the Riverton landfill.

— Alphea Sumner