The government of Antigua and Barbuda is moving to take greater control of waste management, following persistent complaints about unreliable private garbage collection services. Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed the purchase of 10 new garbage trucks, emphasizing the need for improved efficiency and reliability.

“The problem we have with most of our garbage collectors is that they do not invest in reliable equipment,” Browne said. “Many of them have been gaming the system, sending in bills knowing that their trucks have not worked, aided and abetted by certain public officials.”

He explained that many private contractors purchase old, second-hand trucks from New York and Miami, which frequently break down, leading to piles of uncollected garbage.

“Something as basic as garbage collection, and the government is being blamed for failures caused by private operators,” Browne said. “We’ve had to intervene because these contractors charge a premium while submitting bogus bills.”

The government’s solution is to bring a significant portion of waste collection under state control, using the newly acquired trucks to ensure more dependable service.

“Clearly, some of these individuals in multiple trucks are going to be relieved of their contracts,” Browne stated. “Those with reliable services may continue, but those who have been gaming the system will be discontinued.”

He also noted that while privatization has been in place for over 30 years, the lack of oversight and failure of some operators to invest in modern equipment has led to serious inefficiencies.

With the new fleet of garbage trucks, the government aims to stabilize waste collection services and ensure cleaner communities across Antigua and Barbuda.