CIRO claims Grand Cayman debris removal on target

Operations Manager of CIRO
Mark Scotland

Tub grinder, grinding debris at North West processing
site

Derelict cars at Sparky Drive to be shipped overseas

Employees sorting debris at North West processing
site West Bay

Friday,  January 21, 2005

Operations Manager of the Cayman Islands Recovery Operations (CIRO) Mark Scotland has stated that well over 300,000 cubic yards of debris has been disposed of since Hurricane Ivan.

This announcement came in the wake of continuing complaints by residents as well as Opposition party members, about the slow pace in which the debris is being removed.

Mr Scotland added that 160,000 cubic yards had been collected and disposed of under the CIRO contract awarded to the US based company MC Restoration to clean the Island.

However, Mr Scotland did not say who collected the other 140,000 cubic yards, though it is presumed that private individuals, companies, organisations and even charities have been responsible for clearing a good deal of the balance of the debris.

During a media tour organised by CIRO Mr Scotland said: “Presently there are three debris processing sites namely in North West, and Bodden Town as well as East Coast.”

“The processing of the garbage is important; it is first sorted then the tub grinder is used to grind away the vegetable and wooden stuff so as to reduce the amount of garbage placed in the landfills. As it is now the landfills are already burdened therefore the processing taking place is essential.” 

When asked what will be done if anything, to ensure all the debris that is still lying around all over the Island is cleaned before the next hurricane season, Mr Scotland indicated that government may have to consider some measures in this regard.

“Government must put mechanisms in place to continue to manage the debris after the CIRO contract is finished,” remarked Mr Scotland.

However Bodden Town Candidate for the Peoples Progressive Movement (PPM) Charles Clifford said: “It might be necessary for local operators to complete the job of cleaning the Cayman Islands since it appears that MC’s contract is coming to an end.”

“The local operators are the ones who started to clean the Island after the hurricane in the first place, and I do not believe MC’s contract should be extended,” he added.

The contract remains a bone of contention for Mr Clifford who said: “We still have not seen an actual copy of that $10.7 million contract given to MC which I think was unnecessary in the first place.” 

During a visit to Sparky Drive area, where the vehicle-licensing department tagged approximately 1100 derelict vehicles, Mr Scotland gave assurances that all the vehicles will be shipped out of the country. 

“Some of them may be dismantled, depending on what the importing parties want, while others will be sent as they are after the oils and fluids are drained. Presently the Government is focusing on removing vehicles in public areas first”, Mr Scotland confirmed. 

Mr Scotland did not say however, why there are so many vehicles still waiting to be shipped more than four months after Hurricane Ivan struck or exactly when they will be taken off the Island. 

Meantime it is now official that there will be no more dumping in the future at the controversial temporary Spotts site. Mr Scotland said it is likely that the site will be cleaned up but refused to reveal more information, saying that there are legal matters involved.

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