“You will see changes” – Manickchand moves to tackle garbage woes in Yarrow, Sideline Dams

Residents of Yarrow Dam and Sideline Dam, Georgetown, are expected to get some relief from mounting garbage and other environmental problems after Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand visited the communities on Tuesday and promised immediate intervention.

Minister Manickchand walked through both areas, speaking with residents and examining conditions as concerns were raised about garbage collection, drainage and streetlights.
Garbage was among the most visible problems, with waste, discarded household items and appliances accumulated in sections of the communities.
Minister Manickchand said the situation was linked to a disruption in the regular garbage collection service by City Hall.
“One of which is that there is no garbage collection because the private garbage collector paid by the city council has stopped, and it appears that the city council didn’t put something to replace that,” she said.
Residents also raised concerns about severe drainage problems, particularly during heavy rainfall, and streetlights that were no longer functioning. Improper waste disposal was also identified as contributing to drainage problems in the area.
In response to the garbage backlog, Manickchand said arrangements would be made for a canter to provide interim collection before the end of the week.
“You will see changes… That’s changing before this week is out,” she told residents.
The immediate intervention will come ahead of the government’s “Big Lift” exercise, scheduled to begin in Yarrow Dam and Sideline Dam on Monday, August 3.
The exercise allows residents to dispose of bulky household waste, including old furniture, appliances, mattresses, tyres and other oversized items, free of cost.
“Big Lift will happen in Yarrow Dam and Sideline Dam beginning Monday next week. You will see a schedule about when you can put out your garbage. Please do that for us,” Manickchand said.
During the walkthrough, the minister also spoke about the consequences of allowing bulky waste to remain in the communities.
“This is bulky waste in the community that harbours a lot of rodents and vectors and just makes people’s lives miserable,” she said.
Minister Manickchand, however, stressed that addressing the problem would also require residents and businesses to be more mindful of how waste is disposed of.
“So we got to do better as residents and as business people in these communities. We have to be more responsible,” she said.
Residents are expected to receive a schedule indicating when their waste should be placed out for collection during the Big Lift exercise, while the interim collection promised by the minister is expected to begin before the end of this week.