PM Statement: Islandwide Clean Up To Fight Dengue Outbreak

Mr. Speaker, I use this opportunity to inform this Honourable House of the Government’s plan to implement an enhanced Disaster Mitigation Works Programme. The works have been incorporated into the government’s overall mitigation plans and reflects a more comprehensive approach to mitigation.

The consideration at this time is not limited to mitigation and routine civil infrastructure maintenance for weather related disasters, there is a direct link as well to the maintenance of public spaces and civil infrastructure, and the safeguard of public health and well-being.  

The current incidences of dengue cases, as outlined by the Minister of Health and Wellness, calls for a national response to mitigate this threat. We know from the WHO and other practitioners how important the elimination of breeding sites is to the prevention of mosquito-borne maladies. Much of this work overlaps with, and can be executed in tandem with the routine cyclical mitigation and maintenance programme undertaken this time of year; just after the end of the hurricane season and during the ending phase of the rainy season. These works include the:

• clearing and cleaning of blocked drains and gullies;
• debushing, clearing and cleaning roadsides, gully banks, medians and verges
• collecting and carting away municipal waste, and cleaning and beautify public spaces and civil infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, under the programme special provision has been made for the identification and elimination of breeding sites on public or private property, by means of debushing, draining, clearing, cleaning, or collecting and carting away waste, will be included. We intend to use this round of our mitigation programme to meaningfully target some of these problematic areas that we as representatives of the people know are posing a serious threat to public health.
Mr. Speaker, the Enhanced Mitigation Programme, which will commence later this month, will be implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA) in collaboration with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), with the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Mr. Speaker, we know that there is a problem as to how we dispose of our garbage. Part of this problem is cultural. We see it almost every day, where persons throw garbage through car windows, into gullies and on the streets. This refuse makes its way into our drainage system, which is then compromised, leading to flooding in many of these areas. Our plan is to arrest this situation and through this programme, a start will be made.

Mr. Speaker, the government will be spending approximately $1.3 billion under this phase of the programme, which will be executed over the next several weeks, leading into the Christmas season and beyond. The programme will take on a national focus and will be driven by the needs of each constituency, as advised by their Members of Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, under the programme each constituency will be allocated $15 million to target critical drains, road patching and to undertake sanitation & vector (mosquito) control works. The allocation be broken down as follows:

• $4M for bushing and drain cleaning;
• $3M for sanitation and beautification works;
• $3M for vector control; and
• $5M for patching of potholes/road repairs.

Importantly Mr. Speaker, I wish to emphasize that while Members of Parliament will be allowed flexibility in reallocating funds between bushing and drain cleaning (J$4M) and sanitation and beautification works ($3M) in their constituencies; a minimum amount of 1.5M must be allocated to sanitation and beautification works.  These sanitation and beautification works will be undertaken by the NSWMA so as soon as the programme is opened, the Members of Parliament must indicate the amount they will allocate to this area.  As is the practice that has been established; MPs will not be able to reallocate funds allotted for patching (J$5M).  Neither will they be able to reallocate from vector control ($3M) to any other area. 
 
I expect that all Members of Parliament will quickly get into gear and work with the technocrats to ensure a smooth implementation process.
 
Mr. Speaker, let me take a few minutes to address how the programme will be executed. The funds will be allocated on a constituency basis, and will see the direct involvement of each Member of Parliament. The drains to be cleaned in the various areas will be determined in close consultation with the MP, and the execution done through the National Works Agency.
 
Mr. Speaker, the state of our major gullies, such as the North South Gully and the Sandy Gully, which was recently featured in our media, has not escaped this government’s attention.  Under this programme, an allocation has been specifically earmarked for cleanup of major gullies. 
 
Mr. Speaker, I wish to make it clear that for the vector control component, the actual locations for interventions will be identified by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MHW) working closely with Members of Parliament and their communities and implemented by the NWA at the direction of the MHW and the local health authorities.
 
Mr. Speaker, it’s important to note that the vector control component of this programme is meant to complement the wider Dengue Mitigation Programme that will to be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Wellness shortly.
 
Mr. Speaker, I have directed that strict observance to Governments’ procurement rules and guidelines must be observed in undertaking this programme and persons will be held accountable. In fact, Mr. Speaker, as we did last year, the Integrity Commission has been written to and have been invited to provide the requisite oversight to the implementation of the programme.  I expect that the Commission will be on board in this regard. This Government puts measures in place to ensure that there is value for funds expended and that quality outcomes are obtained.
 
Mr. Speaker, I urge the members to ensure that they work with the members of the public service in having the programme executed in a timely and efficient manner so that value and impact for every dollar that will be spent is assured.