The problem of derelict vehicles is being addressed as the Public Health Department, the Solid Waste Management and the Police Force carry out a joint operation – for the removal of such vehicles throughout this country.
Since the start of the operation – the team has so far served 150 notices to individuals for the removal of unused vehicles, while at least 40 persons have voluntarily removed theirs.
Greg Francois, Collection Superintendent at the Solid Waste Department of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA), said the Police and the Public Health Department, is charged with the responsibility of prosecuting offenses under the litter act.
He explained that under the Litter Act of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, derelict vehicles are considered litter and a person who knowingly leaves or deposits a derelict vehicle on the road is in contravention of the law.
Mr. Francois said derelict vehicles provide harborage for rodents and also serve as breeding ground for mosquitoes which are the vectors of diseases such as Chikungunya, Zika and Dengue Fever, all of which have affected the local population.
