Dear Editor,
It is an individual’s right to freely expresses himself or herself with regards beliefs, thoughts, ideas, and emotions and this must be promoted at all times free from any type censorship. However, what if this right is done in a highly prejudicial manner devoid of facts and evidence and just aimed at being mischievous and malicious? Persons should ensure that all the facts are known before the right of freedom of expression is exercised. In a letter captioned ‘Residents of these Berbice villages are having problems with garbage disposal’ dated July 19, 2021 in the Kaieteur News by Mr. A. Welaidum I wish to give clarity to some of the ‘issues’ raised.
Firstly, prior to the floods, the NDC was using certain areas as a dumpsite and these subsequently became inaccessible. Additionally, streets were flooded and to avoid damage, for four weeks the NDC suspended all collection of garbage. The NDC was advised to use the Rose Hall Town and Babu John dumpsites; three weeks ago collection and disposal of garbage recommenced. Secondly, Mr. Welaidum unwittingly admitted that the garbage accumulated during the flooding presented a challenge. He asked the question, ‘what are we the residents going to do with all the garbage that has accumulated over a month and more now?’ The same challenge is being addressed by the NDC. Is it possible for the NDC to dispose of ‘all the garbage’ in a short time? The NDC has one tractor and a trailer and there are 5,000 households to service. Everyone is now bringing out all their garbage so it will take an entire week to clear just one area. This becomes even more challenging when the distance to the dumpsite is taken into consideration. This greatly reduces the number of trips which can be made on a daily basis. Currently all the areas are being serviced according to a schedule but not all the households in every area can be addressed at the same time since each area is allocated one day in the week. There 16 constituencies in the NDC. Mr. Welaidum should do the math.
Thirdly, Mr. Welaidum in his haste to disparage the NDC wrote that, ‘I have seen the N.D.C tractor and trailer collecting garbage only from the business places that are located on the public road so I wonder where they are dumping that garbage.’ This is grossly mischievous as it is inaccurate. Seeing the NDC’s tractor and trailer on the road he wrongly assumes that it is disposing only garbage from business places located along the Public Road. If only he had inquired from the NDC he would have known that to gain access to the dumpsites at Rose Hall and Port Mourant, the operator must use the Public Road. He would have ceased to wonder ‘where’ the garbage is being dumped. In conclusion, Mr. Welaidum should make contact with the NDC to ventilate his problems. As it is, the NDC’s Complaint Book, to date, has not registered any complaints from any Anthony Welaidum and his assertion about ‘silly and outrageous excuses’ is just a figment of his imagination. We encourage all residents to come in to the NDC and lodge whatever complaints they may have and compliment those who have been doing so.
Sincerely,
C. Nandu
Overseer
Kilcoy Hampshire
NDC
