Analysis:

Nasinu residents have been called to partner with the Nasinu Town Council in keeping the municipality in top shape by Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar.

Nasinu Town Council is not in a healthy state. Most contractors have been let go and the council is doing all its work with its own staff.

The small pool of staff the council has are doing the rubbish collection, kitchen and green waste collection and are also responsible for the beautification works such as grass cutting, landscaping and cleaning of drains.

Much of the latter work is not happening because the focus has been on the collection of rubbish which has started to pile along the streets.

This is something the council cannot be wholly held responsible for.

While people have put up green waste for collection, some residents have taken the opportunity to put white goods, old television sets, pretty much anything out on these piles.

Then there are residents who do not wait for the pick up of kitchen waste but pile their garbage bags on these already existing piles.

Ms Kumar said residents could be responsible if they put out kitchen waste for collection on the right days and in the mornings.

She said green waste meant green waste and not white goods.

The Nasinu Town Council revised its timetable to be able to deliver this very important service, however, some residents are circumnavigating themselves out of their responsibility.

It could only be green waste piled on the streets of Nasinu if residents really took responsibility.

Needless to say, it is not all residents, but some who are guilty of the practice. Some residents are good, adhering to all the requirements, but are having to endure the deeds of the irresponsible ones.

Rubbish can now be seen piled on the roadside in most suburbs in Nasinu. The council’s effort is now focused on clearing this rubbish.

The rates payment situation is not at all good. Of the 11,819 ratepayers, 65 per cent have not been able to pay rates and the council also delivers services to 20 informal settlements.

Operational costs are mounting and this has seen contractors go.

Now grass are growing out of control on road reserves and into drains causing a bigger problem and yet the council is being blamed.

Ms Kumar said this was where residents of Nasinu could take ownership of their municipality. She said residents could cut grass in front of their homes and also clean their drains.

She said a partnership was needed because it was not the council’s responsibility alone.

She said ratepayers who had not been paying were now hiding behind COVID-19.

It is a stark reminder, people need to start taking responsibility and ownership because it will not be long before Nasinu, which is the biggest municipality in the country, also becomes the dirtiest.

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