| Landfill, waste solution on hold again | | Print | |
| Written by Richard Green/richard@fptci.com | |||
| Thursday, 11 August 2011 10:52 | |||
 Citing financial problems, the interim government says it will continue putting off for another year cleaning up the country’s environmentally dangerous dump sites that present serious health hazards. By April 2012 the government said it hopes that Turks and Caicos Environmental Management (TCEM) will finally be able to begin to clean up and modernize the site on Providenciales.“We were disappointed to learn of the additional delay due to ongoing financial issues, but we will continue to work closely with (government) to bring this project to fruition,” said TCEM President Tim Hodge. “Clearly, the open dump disposal sites represent the single largest health and environmental issue facing these islands, and we will persevere in finally launching this critical project. We are confident and optimistic that the interim administration will make this a clear priority.” TCEM was officially awarded the solid waste system privatization contract in March 2008 after a lengthy two-year tender process. But nothing happened until May 2010, when the interim government decided to go forward with the plan. However, funding the project has been a problem from the start. The interim government at first considered tacking on $20-30 fees to all utility bills to guarantee a steady source of revenue, but that proposal went nowhere. Then government announced it had found money in its budget this year to take the project forward, but that did not materialize.
The TCI government regards the improvement of solid waste disposal across the TCI as an important matter,” the government said in a statement Aug. 9. “Concerns over poor waste management are recognised, and it is clear to all the current situation cannot continue.” The first priority is the often smoldering dump site on Provo, which sits like a huge open sore on the western part of the island. Then the sprawling dump site on Grand Turk will be targeted. “A full refresh of waste management throughout the islands will take time, but these initial steps are viewed as affordable within the constraints of the prevailing public finances,” the government statement said. “Further improvements are intended to follow as and when public finances strengthen.” The government said it has been in discussions with TCEM to agree a timetable to re-schedule the waste arrangements detailed in their original proposal; complete all contractual matters; and allow TCEM time to prepare to commence its management and reconstruction of the Providenciales disposal site from April 2012. Commencement of the upgrading of waste disposal on Grand Turk would follow as soon as possible thereafter. TCEM’s original proposal was to being with litter control, traffic control and control of the waste at the dump sites. Then a new landfill would be built on Provo to exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. The landfill would be fully lined, and open waste would be covered daily, eliminating access to open garbage. Hodge has said that scavengers are currently burning encased copper piping to expose the metal which can be sold. This process sets off an unhealthy stench into the air along with billowing black smoke. Eventually all dump sites on all islands would be closed, with solid waste being brought to Provo for proper disposal. The landfill would be designed to capture landfill gases to generate electricity. When it goes forward, the second phase of the project will include the nationwide distribution of 96-gallon plastic toters or waste bins from which garbage will be collected on a weekly basis. TCEM will also launch a comprehensive education and public outreach program. Photo:The dump site on Grand Turk is an eyesore in the middle of the capital island. (Richard Green/Staff)
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