NDP promises heavy fines, jail time for garbage dumpers
The National Democratic Party (NDP 1) is now promising to “get tight” on this situation if re-elected, saying they will institute heavy fines and jail time for those caught in the act.
This is one of several promises that campaigners of the NDP have now put on the platter and presented to residents last night February 2, 2019, during the official launch their Ninth District Candidate, Hon Hubert R. O’Neal aka “Bertie”.
Pride in environment
Leading the charge on the soar issue was Territorial At-Large Candidate, Mr Trefor A. Grant. In a play of words he noted, “Pride in the environment is also key to our health and living, and it’s also key to our tourism product.”
“Its key to how long the baths will remain beautiful, Its key to how long our shorelines remain free of piles of garbage, Its key to how our beautiful beaches which we are known for remaining pristine so we can enjoy them to relax and unwind,” he said.
He continued, “Our guests return over and over to the Virgin Islands because they love it, we have one of the highest guest return rates in the Caribbean, so we have to preserve this!”
He said in government, the NDP will be a team of environment bulldogs, “All of this ‘willy nilly’ dumping of garbage all over the place will stop! And this isn’t just old talk, like saying oh we have to keep the BVI clean. It takes more than that!”
No Lip service – Grant
He said that he has taken the time to personally sit down with local and international professionals on waste management to flesh out and share ideas on how to get the unsightly situation under control and stop paying lip service.
According to Mr Grant, a new NDP government will look into solutions like converting waste in energy plants to lower emissions, institute house to house community garbage pickup and they will review the laws and policies that surround waste management since some of them are woefully outdated.
“This will allow us to institute the proper legislation to bring clarity to the future of waste management, plus the necessary framework needed to deal with the few people who dump garbage without regard for our territory.”
They also plan to review and overhaul if necessary, the waste management strategy so that government can articulate to the people through educational campaigns, meetings, broadcasts and school visits.
However, in the interim, he said, “we will push for the installation of cameras at many high volume garbage areas so that the dumpers can be caught, significantly fined (not just $150.00) and even jailed for repeat offences. This is the level that this team is on. It’s a serious matter and this NDP team under Myron Walwyn is going to deal with it.”
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16 Responses to “NDP promises heavy fines, jail time for garbage dumpers ”
Moreover, no doubt, enforcement must be an integral part of a comprehensive solid waste management plan. Proper solid waste management is a health, safety, environmental protection, education, appearance/aesthetically pleasing........etc issue. The initial effort should be a strong effort to educate and pursue residents behavioral change. Residents must be educated on the value of proper waste disposal to tourism(1/2 of economic twin pillars) , protect the environment, ie, protecting the territorial sea, protecting reefs, seabeds, quality of coastal waters.....etc; protecting attractions, protecting marine food sources, ie, fish, turtle, conchs, whelks.......etc. Further, proper solid waste management and environmental effort is not only for the quiet and enjoyment of visitors but also for the benefit of people that call Nature’s Litle Secret home. Recycle, recover, and reuse. Educate, protect environment and enforce. Heavy fines and jail time should be a last resort.
Rip off the people and now talking trash when they should be in jail.
NDP= National Dump Party
IMHO it's madness to just start fining people without improving the existing system, which worked fine when the world was a simpler place. Better to come up with a long term plan, and then implement it.