The Cabinet has agreed to extend the *national cleanup campaign year-round, following reports that the _National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA)_ was overwhelmed by the volume of waste and derelict vehicles collected during October’s cleanup operations.
Director General of Communications _Maurice Merchant_ said the initiative, originally designated for National Cleanup Month, will now continue across multiple communities on a rolling basis to maintain the island’s cleanliness and public health standards.
Merchant explained that the Solid Waste Authority and its service providers encountered unprecedented quantities of garbage and abandoned vehicles. “The National Solid Waste and all of its service providers were overwhelmed by the level of garbage that was required to be removed from certain areas,” he said. “Because of the magnitude of these vehicles, there is some slowness in removing them from the various areas.”
To address the backlog, the Cabinet has authorized the NSWMA to _seek assistance from private citizens and contractors_ equipped with _flatbeds, lowboys, and other heavy-duty vehicles_ to expedite removals. Merchant said the goal is to conduct _simultaneous cleanup operations_ across multiple zones, including the clearing of drains, verges, and overgrown areas.
He added that Prime Minister _Gaston Browne_ has emphasized the importance of sustaining the campaign beyond October, noting that a clean and healthy environment is vital for national pride, public health, and tourism.
