CIRO set to begin clean-up operation

Mr Orett Connor, Manager of the newly created
Cayman Islands Recovery Operation, speaks about the
issue of debris

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Debris removal has recently been identified by the newly created Cayman Islands Recovery Operation (CIRO) as one of the two main priorities to be tackled; the other being housing.

The contractor who will be responsible for clearing an estimated 300,000 cubic yards of debris has not yet been selected, CIRO manager, Orett Conner said, but six contractors have nevertheless been short-listed.

The final decision will depend on how well the contractors fit CIRO’s selection criteria, including the contractor’s experience, access to specialized and heavy equipment, and financial standing.

Cayman Recovery Operations Manager, Mark Scotland, explained that more debris is expected to appear when people get on with the business of refurbishing their homes.

“We’re only seeing between 10 and 20 percent of the debris now,” said Mr Scotland.

One of the main problems created by Hurricane Ivan has been fallen trees and other plant-related debris. Apart from chipping such material, it is anticipated that a special process, will be used, called “Air-curtain burning.” 

This involves controlled combustion using a large quantity of air, thereby helping to minimize the production of toxic waste gasses.

The large quantity of sand washed ashore, that covers so much of areas such as Bodden Town and East End, will be processed before being returned to the beach, Mr Scotland said.

Insurance companies are reporting that between 6,000 and 10, 000 cars have been ruined by the hurricane. Interest had been expressed from Cuba, which is anticipated to be able to take between 3-400 cars a day. The Cubans will be taking the cars as a ‘going concern,’ to be worked on and re-used as motor vehicles rather than melted down.

“Similar interest in accepting ruined cars has been expressed from individuals in Honduras as well,” Mr Scotland said. 

It is hoped that the interest shown will help to ensure that the vehicle clear-up part of the operation, will be self-financing.

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH), has suffered some loss of capacity since Hurricane Ivan and had enough to do to cope with it’s regular task of collecting ordinary household waste, Mr Connor explained, so the responsibility for dealing with hurricane-produced debris would have to fall on CIRO. 

The large amount of debris presents further problems as the George Town Landfill was getting near to full capacity even before the hurricane struck and now gives rise to the possibility that the debris will be removed from the island. 

The debris clean-up operation has focused on areas deemed by CIRO to be ‘At risk,’ and areas of Bodden Town, Prospect and East End, that have pathways frequented by students. 

“We will clear most main roads and key areas by the end of November,” Mr Connor asserted.

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