Illegal dumpers to face the court

Government will soon be implementing a “Zero Tolerance” policy with respect to illegal dumping around the island.

This stern warning came from Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde, as he launched the Clean and Green National Campaign at Flat Rock, St. George today. Forde, who voiced his intention of beautifying more areas around the island identified as illegal dumping hotspots, said the days of individuals engaging in these activities were now numbered.

“It is my determination as Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, to prevent this illegal dumping and to stop the scourge of illegal dumping as we know it. I am saying now to the entire Barbados, gone are the days where I will be telling persons come and clean up after they have dumped illegally. I am not into the business of forgiving, that is what the church is there for. If they are involved in the activities of illegal and illicit dumping, I believe, and I am sure this is the belief of the entire Government, that they should face the law courts. That is as simple as it comes from me,” he stated.

His warning comes in the wake of several illegal dumping incidents that have trended on social media platforms during the year. Forde said that for far too long some Barbadians believed that punishment would be minimal if caught dumping illegally, but that this mindset will soon have to change.

“Illegal dumping will not be tolerated under my watch. So after we work assiduously, we work to clean and beautify these areas, those persons who believe because they have some flippant gene in their body, walking around saying that they can destroy our ecosystem and biodiversity, I am saying your days are numbered. We are going to put cameras, and when those culprits are caught, I am going to ensure that the policemen, and the court and legal system, do their job. It is a zero tolerance as it relates to illegal dumping,” he added.

The Minister also encouraged Barbadians to devote some of their time to helping keep their areas clean, in the effort to develop a sense of community spirit, and to help control the rodent population on the island. (SB)