Waste could pile up as Jamaica's budget falls short

Jamaica's national solid waste management authority (NSWMA) will have to cut back its garbage collection service this year due to a budget shortfall, local paper Jamaica Observer reported. NSWMA aimed to have a budget of US$8.2bn to carry out its operations but has only secured US$2.5bn so far, of which US$300mn came from its own revenues, according to executive director Jennifer Edwards. The areas likely to be effected by the cuts are the maintenance of vehicles and equipment in addition to providing the necessary infrastructure at disposal sites and removing illegal dump sites on the main road. In addition the budget shortfall is likely to affect NSWMA's ability to maintain a regular garbage collection schedule. To help alleviate the problem NSWMA is looking to reduce spending as well as increase its revenues through the collection of commercial waste to help pay for fuel.