Government plans island wide clean up starting Monday, residents urged to put debris out

On Monday, October 27, the Public Works Department plans to start a coordinated island-wide cleanup to pick up the remaining debris left over from Hurricane Gonzalo.

Over this upcoming weekend, residents are requested to put out their debris roadside so that the Department personnel can take the debris and rubble away.

The residents are also requested to separate the normal garbage of the household with that of the hurricane debris.

“I am requesting of the community to not mix up the everyday garbage with the hurricane debris,” Head of Public Works, Claudius Buncamper said.

“This complicates our job because 1) it creates a unhygienic situation, 2) companies (garbage collectors) are already hired to pick up garbage from the bins, 3) it slows down the process by not focusing just on the debris and there is much work to be done.

With the cost of cleanup after Hurricane Gonzalo escalating, especially in a limited budget, it is essential that we try to control cost and work as efficient and effective as possible, Buncamper said.

So it is critical that all debris is put to side of the road and for everyone to contribute and/or help out neighbors and elderly to put out the hurricane debris.