Litter Act will be enforced soon – Superintendent John

Minibus and taxis operating without waste receptacles will soon have to get one in place or pay a fine.{{more}}

According to the Litter Act, which was enacted on July 23, 1991, the owner of every bus and taxi, while his or her vehicle is plying for hire, is required to provide in a convenient place therein, adequate receptacles for the deposit of litter.

In October of 2012, a release from Traffic Department of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) stated that checks were to be conducted during that period to ensure that minibus and taxi operators comply with the law.

Last October, SEARCHLIGHT also carried out a survey with 10 minibus drivers. The 10 drivers were of the opinion that while the initiative is a good idea, the question is, “Where would the receptacle be placed?”

During the period, the members of the Traffic Department made various appeals via the media for operators to comply with the Litter Act.

SEARCHLIGHT was reliable informed that since the decision back then to enforce the Act, no taxi or omnibus operator has been charged for the offence, even though many taxis and omnibuses continue to operate without waste receptacles.

SEARCHLIGHT contacted head of the Traffic Department Superintendent Kenneth John on Wednesday for an update.

John said he recently held a meeting with president of the National Omnibus Association (NOBA) Anthony Bacchus to discuss a way forward on the matter.

“We are still in the process of educating the public about it (Litter Act).

“That’s the position right now. But very, very soon, we will be hitting the road very strong with it,” John stated.

The Superintendent, however, warned that persons need to comply with the Act, even though it has not been enforced as yet.

As it relates to minibuses, the drivers complained that they had no space to put receptacles, but John was of a different view.

“What some of them did is that they put in speakers and so where they should have a receptacle to put in the litter,” he further stated.

According to the Litter Act, an operator who commits the offence of failure to provide a receptacle is liable to a fine of EC$2,000. (AA)