Holness praises NSWMA workers, says more than 2,000 staff made permanent

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has praised long-serving workers at the National Solid Waste Management Authority, saying their contribution is central to public health, tourism, disaster response and Jamaica’s national image.

Holness was delivering the keynote address at the NSWMA’s Long Service Awards Ceremony, where employees with 15, 20, 25, 30 and more years of service were recognised. He said many workers had spent decades doing difficult duties in early mornings, bad weather, disasters and periods when resources and public appreciation were limited.

The Prime Minister said the Government’s move to place qualifying workers on the permanent establishment was a practical show of respect for sanitation staff. He said more than 2,000 NSWMA employees had so far been made permanent, giving workers and their families greater security while helping the agency retain experienced staff.

Holness also pointed to investments in the NSWMA’s operations, including new compactor trucks, motorcycles for enforcement officers, pickup vans and 10 tipper trucks provided in December to strengthen emergency clean-up capacity after hurricane recovery demands. He commended the agency for debris removal work, including in Black River.

With the hurricane season under way, he said the NSWMA had launched Operation Clean to remove bulky and solid waste from flood-prone communities, educate residents on their responsibilities, work through community leaders and maintain a visible presence throughout the season.

Holness urged Jamaicans to secure household waste properly instead of leaving bags and containers exposed to animals, wind or other disturbance. He said the country needed a stronger culture of public cleanliness, backed by education and enforcement.

He also indicated that the Government intends to give greater attention to penalties for improper disposal of waste in public spaces, saying a modified version of the road traffic ticketing system could be used to ticket persons who litter or dump waste improperly.

The Prime Minister told the awardees their work supports schools, hospitals, hotels, communities and the wider economy, and said the Government would continue supporting stronger systems, better tools and improved workforce stability at the NSWMA.