Portland medical chief, mayor decry uncollected garbage

The authorities in Portland have voiced concern about persistent delays in the collection of solid waste across the parish, warning of mounting public-health risks.

Chief medical officer for Portland Health Services, Dr Sharon Lewis, raised the issue at yesterday’s monthly sitting of the Portland Municipal Corporation. She said the accumulation of garbage posed a serious threat to residents.

“There is the increase risk of the breeding of rodents, flies, mosquitoes, and other pests that can carry diseases,” she noted.

Lewis added: “While we are grateful that Portland was spared a significant increase in eptospirosis cases and was spared an increase in dengue fever cases, we need support to maintain this good health status in our parish”.

Lewis noted that the National Solid Waste Management Authority team can be seen working each day to collect the refuse, but it is evident that more garbage collection trucks are needed in Portland.

“I am therefore making the appeal for Portland to be prioritised to receive even two more garbage collection trucks in 2026 in the interest of the health and well-being of the population. And I am certain that the citizens of Portland would be very grateful if this were to become a reality.”

Paul Thompson, mayor of Port Antonio, echoed the concerns, describing the volume of uncollected garbage as “alarmingly high”.

He said the problem was evident before Hurricane Melissa, worsened during the storm, and persisted through the Christmas period.

“I really don’t know what has happened as it relates to the collection of garbage, but almost every community and every district is affected. At night, dogs sift through the waste and it is scattered all over. Yes, collection is being done, but it is simply not enough,” he said.

Areas affected by uncollected garbage include William Street, Breast Works, Snow Hill, Norwich, Boundbrook, Kensington, Manchioneal, Fairy Hill, the Rio Grande Valley, Bryan’s Bay, Anchovy Gardens, Chilly Lane, Norwich Heights, Spring Bank and Stony Hill.

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