IT IS anticipated that by Monday all ten newly-imported trucks will be on the roads of Barbados.
This assurance was given by Chairman of the Sanitation Services Authority (SSA), Senator Rudy Grant, as he gave an update on the trucks, after it was revealed that on Monday three trucks were retrofitted and in operation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Grant said, “This morning we had six of those new trucks in operation and we expect that by Thursday there would be a further two operating as well and by Monday all ten will be in operation if not before Monday.”
He reminded the general public that a further ten trucks have been ordered. “That order would have been from an order of 12. Two of those trucks are expected to arrive in Barbados on January 1 and there are a further three trucks that will soon be completed and shipped to us.”
The chairman noted that the SSA also received a Bomag landfill compactor and is expecting “very shortly” two small pick-up trucks and a forklift.
“I make reference to those because it is important for us to recognise that there are other pieces of equipment which are also facilitating the purchase of which would greatly assist us overall with the waste management in Barbados.”
Senator Grant said he respects and understands the concerns that have been raised by the public.
“Repurpose-built trucks take seven to nine months to get to Barbados after the order is made and given the significant concerns that were being expressed by the public we felt that it was necessary to identify another option where we would have garbage trucks available. So we are extremely happy that the ten new garbage trucks are here and that as of this morning, six of those ten trucks are in operation and – expect a further.”
He also commended the dialogue between the SSA and the National Union of Public Workers, representing the workers of the SSA. The chairman stressed the concerns of the workers are important and the SSA is committed to ensuring the safety
and well-being of all workers.
“Most of the matters that have been identified by the NUPW had already started to be actioned. Those matters related in part to the issues with respect to the new garbage trucks, the issue of the steps at the side, the issue of the holding bars.”
He noted that new garbage trucks being manufactured in the USA are being built with steps at the back of the vehicle. “So all garbage trucks imported into Barbados have to have the adjustment with respect to the steps being moved from the side to the back as well with the holding bar. And we have facilitated that with these ten new garbage trucks.”
“In addition to that we have been able to identify the solution for a third seat inside of the cab. The NUPW based on our discussions they are satisfied with the adjustments that have been made.”
Grant also revealed that training would have been undertaken from Monday morning. “We have an official from McNeilus who would be in Barbados on Wednesday night and he will be facilitating some training ... We are making good progress. We have to ensure that we are able to continually enhance our equipment, we have indicated to the NUPW that already nine of the new trucks have been outfitted with the Ontrac Telematic system and we intend to ensure that all of the garbage trucks are outfitted.”
He explained that this will allow the SSA to enhance its fleet management system. “There is the clear recognition that we have to enhance our ICT capacity at the SSA and that is something we are giving urgent attention to.”