BASSETERRE, ST. Kitts – THE Government is making a concerted effort to alleviate any challenges that residents in proximity of the Conaree Landfill Site may be facing.
This comes in the wake of complaints about the highly offensive odour that emanates from the Conaree-based facility, and the Senior Minister of Health, the Hon. Eugene Hamilton has indicated that a government study is being undertaken on the location to best determine the way forward.
The Minister, while recently addressing reporters, explained that several local agencies have been working to determine a solution.
“This is a matter which is under study at the moment. Certainly, there are technical people who have been engaged at Solid Waste environment and others have been asked to look at the prospects of that landfill site and for what period it has been serving us.”
According to the Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC), the facility became a sanitary landfill back in 2003 after a stop was put to burning garbage in 2000.
Minister Hamilton stated that following considerations of a system that would impact the life of the landfill, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between SWMC and a waste to energy plant.
To this end, he noted that it (waste to energy) is only in the embryonic stages, adding that it is something under consideration for the near future.
The Minister pointed out that if the Landfill reaches the point where it could not handle anymore waste, “then we would find someplace else”.
Hamilton, who is also the Minister with Responsibility for Agriculture, stated: “You know not many persons want a landfill in their area or their environment. As a government you have to make a decision, whether it is popular or not.”
SKNVibes understands that the landfill has outlived its seven-year timeframe and those with responsibility for the location are considering developing one of the cells for further use.
That development, SKNVibes learnt, would cost the government some US$14M, which was confirmed by Minister Hamilton, who told reporters that it is a figure they are willing to spend for the health of the nation.
“But it may not be,” he added. “Perhaps we can persuade environmentalists who are contributing hundreds of millions into Climate Change conditions…we can persuade them to find funding for it.”
