The collection of garbage in the city is still on hold as the two companies contracted by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) are yet to reach an agreement with the Council, although a portion of the outstanding debt was paid yesterday.

On Monday, Cevons Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal Service withdrew their services after the Council racked up a debt of $24 million with these two companies.

Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green last evening disclosed that although the M&CC had paid some money to these companies, the resumption of refuse collection immediately is still unlikely. “They (the companies) have not given us any guarantee of restarting tomorrow (today)” he said.

The Mayor said that the two companies should have each been paid about $3 million yesterday.  He explained that the companies themselves seem to be in financial difficulty, and are in urgent need of funds to offset some of their own expenses.

Green said that the Council is still trying to raise the rest of the money to settle the debt.