TCI: TCEM contract not renewed, Gov’t back in charge of dump sites

#Providenciales, November 28, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Turks and Caicos Environmental Management or TCEM is no longer managing the dumpsites in Providenciales and Grand Turk; it’s been weeks now since the group lost its bid to have a five-year-old contract renewed.

The contract had been under review, after reaching its majority date since September 2017.

Early in November, Cabinet approved a consultation agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank on the way forward in managing the dump which has been plagued with a variety of challenges including slow progress on instituting tire shredders at each site and rampant outbreaks of fire.

TCEM had claimed sabotage after newly purchased tire shredders in 2017 were reportedly damaged by vandals.

The contract with TCEM, which was signed under the interim administration of former governor, Damian Todd in 2012 to the tune of annual $1.5m, included among its requirements that the landfills be secured with guards, that the landfill grounds be kept watered or wet to reduce dust pollution and that dumped tires – which are often the haven for environmental pests like mosquitoes – are to be shredded at both sites.

Government has resumed management of the Providenciales and Grand Turk landfills in recent weeks.

Apparently unchanged are the issues related to proper management of the landfills; as a ‘toxic stench’ believed to be emanating from the Provo dump over the weekend is reported and a raging fire on Tuesday in Grand Turk had the natives restless.

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#TCEM

#TCIdumpsites

#governmenttakesoverdumpsites