TCI Government has launched an important environmental initiative by signing a contract with Turks and Caicos Environmental Management, Ltd. (TCEM) to clean up the waste disposal sites on Providenciales and Grand Turk and to assume management of these facilities using safe and environmentally sensitive practices.
This agreement marks the culmination of an exhaustive procurement and planning process, and the result is a program that will quickly and aggressively address some of the TCI’s greatest environmental and human health challenges and help ensure long-term sustainability. Specifically, under the agreement TCEM will:
- Clean the Dumps on Providenciales and Grand Turk – Extinguishing fires; compacting and covering the existing waste on the sites in order to minimize odor, windblown litter and dust; installing security, fencing, weigh scales and control mechanisms; and general aesthetic improvement of the sites.
- Manage the sites using internationally recognized solid waste handling practices to minimize the odor, litter and visual impacts of the facilities and control potential human health threats associated with scavengers, landfill runoff water, dust, smoke and vermin.
- Provide safe, secure professionally managed disposal sites for Providenciales and Grand Turk,
The Government of the TCI and TCEM are committed to the long term public and environmental health of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The contract signed today represents a significant investment in the sustainable development of our nation by ensuring that solid waste is managed properly for years to come.
Judith Campbell, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Education, said: “This is a major achievement for the Government and critical for the protection of human health and the environment. If one person is prevented from carbon monoxide poisoning from dump fires, then the investment in this project is well worth it. The Ministry of Health expresses sincere appreciation to staff of the Environmental Health Department, the Chief Engineer and the Deputy Attorney General for making this project a reality.“
