Several government entities are ‘banning’ together to address the issue of unsightly litter strewn across Anguilla.
During the Government’s press conference on Monday, January 17, Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes, voiced concerns regarding the huge amounts of litter observed across Anguilla. He said that a meeting was held earlier that morning at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Tourism, with representatives from the police, tourism, and public health to address the litter problem.
He noted that while there had been many targeted litter awareness efforts – public and private clean-up campaigns, radio jingles and public pronouncements, and other community initiatives – persons still display total disrespect and disregard for the country by disposing of trash callously and inappropriately.
He observed: “We have seen trucks on our streets violating the Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, and Litter Abatement Act by driving uncovered [while transporting debris and other waste material]. This should not be.”
He continued: “It is embarrassing for me, as the Minister of Tourism – and it should be embarrassing to all of us – to see tourists going to our beaches removing lots and lots of garbage. We want to be able to compete with the world’s cleanest countries, and that is the goal. It is not for the tourists, it’s for us. They can enjoy our clean and pristine island, but it is for us.
“I hope that each one of us can take responsibility for our litter, especially those that come to our beaches and have picnics. Whatever you bring to the beach, take it home with you or find the nearest receptacle.”
“To that end,” he noted, “starting tomorrow morning [Tuesday], the police will be out to arrest the situation as it relates to litter [across Anguilla].”
