LM&TC Environmental, Works Committees working with limited resources

Councillors within the cash-strapped Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) have their work cut out for

them, and have been managing with limited resources in an effort to execute some major functions. During a recent press briefing, Chairman of the Environmental Committee, Wainwright Bethune and Works Committee Chairman, Leroy James, outlined several projects presently being executed in the community, while emphasising the fact that there are limited resources available.
Bethune established that the Council just recently obtained a Bobcat and a mini-excavator, loaned by the Communities Ministry and work is set to commence along Sir David Rose Avenue, Mackenzie, in the vicinity of the Kara Kara bridge. As a result of the recent inclement weather, certain areas are water logged which he considers dangerous for commuters.
The excavator is presently de-silting drains in the Constabulary Compound area at Mackenzie. Bethune said the current focus is only on the main thoroughfares at Central Mackenzie; Burnham Drive; and the Winifred Gaskin Highway, Wismar; and since the equipment was loaned, it would be time consuming to visit minor areas.

Solid waste management
Bethune alluded that garbage collection is a serious issue and there is no specialised equipment to carry out the task; however, he said recently, the Council acquired a new tractor to assist with picking up waste in and around the community.
“The other tractor that we have, you will probably see the presence of it more in the community… one of the things that I wanted was to have the Environmental Department more involved in the whole garbage collection and waste management, so we can get a proper structure and schedule going so that residents, at least once or twice a month, given the equipment that we have, can have their garbage collected,” the Environmental Committee Chairman said.
Additionally, he noted that there are some serious issues with the Dakoura dumpsite and works are ongoing. “We’re working to de-commission that site to promote more dumping in the Kara Kara area, which would maybe be a medium or a long-term dumpsite. We’re still working on the timing of that… the problem with the Kara Kara dumpsite is every time there is the inclement weather the road becomes impassable, so we’re trying to put more of a permanent access there”.
Bethune added that coming out of a recent visit by officials from the Communities Ministry, a survey to determine measurements to the road was done, and as such, tenders are expected to be out within a few weeks for the construction of a road leading into the dumpsite. Following that, Bethune said the dumpsite would be further developed.
Meanwhile, Leroy James, Head of the Works Committee, said minor patch- works are ongoing on access roads in areas which are adversely affected. For now, he said work is ongoing and the municipality is set to soon receive its 2016 subvention.
“It is no secret that the Council is cash-strapped so we are trying the best we could with the resources available… to bring relief to the areas more critical… in prioritising areas we look for those where people are more affected,” he said.
The Councillor encouraged residents to be patient since he noted that the aim is to reach every area in all constituencies. He said impassable roads at Central Mackenzie and Amelia’s Ward are set to benefit and welcomes any input from the community.