Cevons threatens to halt waste collection in 2 GT areas over unsustainable rates

Private waste collection company Cevons Waste Management, which has been providing waste management services to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council for several years is currently considering halting waste collection services for the council in constituencies nine (Lodge/Meadow Brook Gardens) and 14 (South Ruimveldt Park and Industrial Estate).
The company’s position was revealed by Town Clerk Candace Nelson during a recent statutory meeting. In a letter written to the town clerk, Cevons said that it wishes to inform that with current contract rates, the waste management team will be unable to continue providing services in these constituencies nine and 14 beyond the contract extension date.
According to the company, the current rates are not economically viable, given the rising cost of labour maintenance and other critical operational expenses. To ensure continued and effective delivery of service in constituencies nine and 14, the waste collection company proposed a minimum acceptable rate of $420,000 per week for both constituencies which will meet operational realities of providing consistent, high quality waste management services for these communities.
Cevons Waste Management said, “We may be unable to render services beyond April 21st, 2025. As such, we ask that this matter be addressed with urgency. We are open to further discussion we remain hopeful that a mutually agreeable solution can be reached. Thank you for your continued partnership and understanding.”
Speaking on the matter was Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore explained that to address the situation the council will be requesting a one-month extension to decide the next step forward.
Cevons Waste Management started as a private Waste Collection Company in 1997.
The company along with Puran Brothers Disposal Inc have been responsible for waste collection in the majority of the constituencies in Georgetown.
Garbage collection has been a consistent issue in the capital city. The responsibility of cleaning the city solely falls under the jurisdiction of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) and local democratic organs, who receives a subvention from central Government to fund capital projects. Last year Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore told media operatives that council allocates $500 million annually for waste collection, encompassing both private and municipal waste management systems.
Notwithstanding this, the Government has still been intervening to clean up the city and bring relief to residents. President Dr Irfaan Ali himself has been on several occasions leading the National Clean Up Campaign along with Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips. They along with members of the disciplined services, private sector, volunteers, and residents in communities and around the city have been removing litter and waste from public spaces, making them cleaner and safer for everyone.
Earlier this month, VP, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced sweeping increases in Government’s subventions for local Government organs, which he said will equip these municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to deliver better services. With these increases, every NDC will now receive $30 million as their new annual subvention, while each municipality will receive $50 million. Previously, NDCs received subventions of about $5 million, while municipalities received about $18 million.