Lister: Lack Of Maintenance Of Trash Trucks
Shadow Public Works Minister Dennis Lister said the “non-collection of trash is a direct result of the OBA Government and this mismanagement most be put on the desk of Minister Cannonier.”
There have been delays recently in trash collection, with the Ministry issuing advisories on October 16 and October 27 saying that collection in the east end would be delayed due to “mechanical issues with the garbage trucks.”
In response, Mr Lister offered his praise to the men and women who operate the garbage collection trucks for working through their weekend to “pickup the backlog of trash that has lined our streets and neighbourhoods” saying that “clearly the delay in picking up the trash was not a labour issue, but rather a management one.”
“The unsightly piling up of trash along our roads from East to West was due to a high number of trucks out of service, which begs the question as to why such a high number of trucks were out of service,” Mr Lister said.
“The answer is a clear matter of lack of maintenance. And herein lies the problem – this lack of maintenance is a direct result of OBA Government budget cuts, which means a lack of funds to correctly maintain the fleet of trucks adequately.
“Therefore, the non-collection of trash is a direct result of the OBA Government and this mismanagement most be put on the desk of Minister Cannonier.
Mr Lister said he is calling on Public Works Minister Craig Cannonier to “provide sufficient funding so that the community is not subjected week in and week out to a repeat of these recent events.”
Lack of maintenance on:
Trash trucks
Ferries
Government vehicles
Buses
anyone see a pattern here ?
Unionised mechanics?
did you say ONIONISED???
Ask Bro Chris why he won’t fix the trucks, or allow govt to use other ways to collect trash. If the PLP want to bring Bermuda down, the result will be the people collecting their own household waste through private pick-up. Bro Chris seems to think he runs Bermuda. May God protect us.
Yes…they cut maintenance so that the public gets upset at the horrible services and then privatization looks like a good answer to many.
Duh, Privatization is ALWAYS a good answer.
Governments are inefficient. There is little to no incentive to be efficient.
We are a country with limited resources, we need to utilize those resources as efficiently as possible.
Governments are not designed to be efficient…that being said, I as a tax payer expect our assets to be properly managed. Leaving things to fall as they may is not efficient, across the board cuts are not efficient. The OBA needs to take the bull by the horn and make the 30% cut where processes and needs are outdated and the leave maintenance budgets alone.
So … Fire the civil service then.
“Governments are inefficient”.
Not true.
Read Y-Gurl’s comment again.
The Union and the PLP are to blame for all this sheet.
By any means necessary.
He who thinks the trash trucks suddenly fell into disrepair in the last 5 years is a fool.
These vehicles- trash trucks, buses, ferries have not been maintained since they were purchased (under the PLP government) so let’s spot pointing fingers…
Could’ve used that $77 million for our infrastructure instead of catering to those who don’t need it, it’s called PRIORITIZE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what a binford you are. not a clue to save your life inna?
seems like a feasible concept,, with the way the OBA operates, there always seems to be some hidden agenda in their actions and policies..
If there is a hidden agenda, then why would anyone about it?????
You are just spreading misinformation…a PLP agenda.
Simple, fork out $77million for a sail boat race on wealthy people and your infrastructure is crumbling all around you.
hmmm
Indeed, it’s about creating wealth to fund an economy – including Government spending – and not scaring it away Col Burch and Cog style.
What ever it takes to get it done! Way over due!!!!!!!!!!!
First off, let’s not lay the fault of this on the people in the trucks, or with those doing the maintenance on the trucks. These workers have been doing a great job, and dealing with the fall-out of problems that date back years.
And I do means years, we’re talking before the OBA.
Yes, new equipment was brought in a few years ago, but it was not well thought out. There was little, if any, consideration taken to capacity or the continuous hard work in a difficult, at best, climate. A proper stock of replacement parts/supplies was not laid in, a proper schedule for maintanence and repair was not set up, and there were other problems.
So what you have is a systematic failure that can’t be changed overnight, and by overnight, I mean months, even years, when you’re working with an increasingly tight budget due to the economic position the Government of the day is presently in. Compounded by an employment system where not doing ones job is not grounds for dismissal, or even transfer in some cases.
Even if a new government got in tomorrow they’d still be in the same bad position unless they had the means to pay off the full Government debt PLUS a massive inflow of money in order to higher the number of staff necessary, get rid of the deadwood, and purchase new equipment where necessary, and fully stock all equipment required for proper fully maintenance and repair.
Ain’t going to happen.
So… Seriously, people, if things get backed up and you own a car, heck if you have a bike you can do this given what Bermudians are capable of loading on their bikes, take it to the drop off. It would take most people only a short time out of their schedules and is a very simple task.
Sounds like privatization to me! However instead of hauling the trash to the dump myself, I would prefer to offer an opportunity to a start up trash collection business and get my neighbors to join in in order to get regular and reliable trash service. Oh of course I would want a credit towards my taxes, which the Government could more than offset by reducing associated employee, plant and equipment costs. Win – win..
I think you’re more than welcome to start your own trash pick up service, however expectation of getting a credit on taxes when you’d be paid for your work is rather inappropriate. Nothing you did would actually reduce plant and equipment costs. Whether your business would make it possible to reduce employee costs would depend on the success of your business. However, at best, you’d probably only allow those presently employed do their jobs more efficiently by taking on some of the burden they work on.
Don’t you have to pay to drop off your trash, now?
Government minister’s GP cars seem to be maintained and driven despite the OBA’s pre-election promises to have them removed.
Believe they said they would reduce the number of GP cars, which ballooned under the PLP. Don’t recall anyone from the OBA stating they would completely rid the government of GP cars. But I guess when it’s politics lies matter most.
Under the PLP there were a few hundred GP cars, weren’t there?
There was a time I saw GP cars on a daily basis. Now if I see one on a weekly basis it’s unusual.
I wonder why that is.
Maybe you better look again, most of the GP cars that the PLP had, have had their plate changed from a GP to a 5 digit number.
That’s probably why you don’t see them.
Stop looking for the plate and look at the vehicle
Once again, hidden agendas,,
Even if I were just speaking about the cars, it would be the same comment. But if they are number plates, they are no longer being paid for by Government and while I do believe they should be on the island, along with a number other too large cars, are no longer a particular interst of mine.
No longer a particular interest, being biased now that they got booked.
LMFAO
As I said, if Government is not paying for them… as they are no longer GP licenced vehicles, then I’m not concerned about them.
Yes, they are too big. No, they shouldn’t ever have been brought to the island and certainly shouldn’t remain. However, there are a fair number of too large vehicles on our roads due to bad Government decisions. I would like them all to go, but until someone with sense revokes the size changes, I’ll accept them so long as they keep to their own side of the road.
You stopped looking for them thats what happened
one of the first arrogant buys (MISTAKES) the PLP Made!
Lister what nerve! when is the last time u did anything in your constituency for your community! You will be lucky if you get that seat again. Nothing but a lot of hot air!
I have seen this pattern for a long time. For a conspiracy theorist then you look at the PLP unions and civil service sandbagging to affect basic country services and bring the current government to its knees.
Budget cuts are a fact of life however the private sector makes them to remain efficient. When the government has no money then they are a necessity.
I think we are now in the hangover period of a wasteful previous administration who didn’t know how to manage and just threw money to keep the basic services running. They also lost a lot of their best and brightest managers with long service, and with that lost experience, leading by example and succession planning. Now the basic services are feeling the lack of leadership in a time when they need it the most.
A sad state of affairs and not easily fixed without a culture change and strong leadership in middle management and core positions such as Maintenance management.
Unfortunately I feel it will become a lot worse before it gets better as the wheel turns….Possibly the next election will be the catalyst for this.
No-one could have presented better…It is the wrongs of the previous Govnt.(the P.L.P.)They have been / are a direct cause for the short comings of our Govnts. lack of funds today
Ya,and SpongeBob is still stuck under the hood.
LMFAO
PLP disappointed me, but this Government is a F!@#ing JOKE.
And they creep out of the Shadows once again.
See a pattern here?
Good call Y-Gurl.
lack of maintenance due to budget cuts, budgets cuts due to bad fiscal management….
or maybe a Government that’s broke???
On another note; did I not read that government had to get the OK from the Union to have OUR (people of Bermuda) vehicles serviced by non-unionized mechanics?
SMDH
It may not be viable to employ full time mechanics. If specialists are needed for these particular types of vehicles it is likely that it would be much cheaper to bring them over with parts from time to time on short contract. Seems to be same problem with buses.
I am not in tap it of privatizing some public services in Bermuda as these services are not profit driven, and any contracting out will probably result in privateering and contracts for family and friends.
lack of maintenance due to budget cuts, budgets cuts due to bad fiscal management…….by previous Government meaning limited dollars.
who bought these failing trash trucks = PLP, who failed to ensure effective programs of maintenance for these trucks, hmmm that would be (you guessed it) the PLP.
Bingo!
Do the PLP have any alternative to budget cuts? Would they rather a) bankrupt the country (and face budget cuts) or b) lay off Civil Servants?
Which choice would they make?
Privatize the trash collection. Let private industry carry out their own maintenance.
The big difference between private industry and government is that if private collectors don’t meet the set standards for collecting the trash in a timely manner, they lose the contract and somebody else takes over. With government running it, if they don’t meet acceptable standards … so what, nothing happens to improve the service. Or, even worse, they want overtime to correct the job they should have done properly in the first place.
Easy to blame the Minister. Yes, he carries the ultimate responsibility but there is a whole host of management levels below the Minister who are not doing their jobs. They get paid handsomely whether they perform or not. All are part of the unions which have no interest in being efficient. They have no interesrt in the OBA succeeding in ending their 14 year fiscal PLP party of thowing money at them through incompetent Ministers.
TD that maybe the case, but you have to admit, Cannonier has a pattern of leaving a trail of destruction in anything he touches.. smdh.
Must say I am very disappointed in Cannonier. We lost a great MP in my constituency so that he could have a safe seat. He is due to get an earfull from me.
Indeed, and I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Barritt myself.. I am an PLP supporter, but if John Barritt was running in my constituency, I would really consider voting for him.. Just like how he seems to be objective and sticks to the issues.
Couldn’t agree with you more. Cannonier has been a complete waste of time for our constituency. The Botanical Garden project is a joke and yet as the MP for the area and the Minister of Public works he’s done nothing to stop it. What about listening to your voters? No way he’s getting reelected. I hope John Barrit comes back as an independent and sorts out the constituency
All the garbage trucks broke at ONCE? That’s quite a coincidence.
You seem to be the only one in this blog who recognizes this. A true conspiracy from within. Who gains financially from this circus…not management.
Kettle calling the pot black again !!!
Congratulate the labor all you want, but by not working during the week but miraculously being able to work weekends, they all get overtime, and we effectively pay more for it.
My thoughts exactly – How is it they (the workers) were able to pick-up all the trash from one end of the island to the other in two days (paid overtime) yet are incapable of doing the samething in 5 days at regular pay. Maintenance or lack there of – something smells funny!
Work actually got done during the week, it just happened to be limited due to not having equipment working. Things got fixed, or at least fixed enough to be used, so pick up was done over the weekend so that it was not added to the following week’s regular schedule. Plus, it might ease some of the complaints.
Not magic, people, simple common sense practice.
Does 2 billion in debt have anything to do with it the OBA is trying to sort out the mess that was given to them i suggest that new trucks be bought and the first trash collection is THE PLP first in the back of the truck and taken to the dump
here the answer is! 5 million dollar on cams the can get blown in one single storm and trucks and bus that run weeks upon weeks real bright open your eyes people o.b.a out plz
Put the plp back in power they’ll fix it I’m sure.
your sarcasm is accepted
Yep, that’s for sure – there would be a lot less trash to collect as anyone with half a brain will have headed for the exits.
i think the TRASH DEPARTMENT should maintain its own trucks , and not expect the OBA to carry out the maintenance perhaps the PLP was better suited to this job, who can tell
It strikes me that in the case of the ferries for sure, but also with other equipment like trash trucks too, that the ministers of the day who sourced these items may have ended up purchasing second tier goods due to the intermediate overheads of these acquisitions being so high.
Does anyone know how much capital was designated for tynes bay to operate for 1 year..? (You know…wages,IT,MAINTENANCE,not only to vehicles but to the entire compound)
How many are aware of the major upgrade to the furnace down in the belly of the beast..?
Answer the first question then take into account the second question…add or subtract your equations and voila!!…The product would be revealed in the sum.
The mouse pushers are yakking again get back to work
Get checked for diabetes as well
We could always legalise marijuanna….dat trash would be picked up everyday ontime i bet you by golly!
I bet you anything that, due to the garbage collection crisis, the trash from our politicians drive ways ( PLP , OBA ) it was collected anyway.!
Thoustmusteth noteth cuteth maintenance should be etched into one of those stone tablet you have there…when you get a cut…you …”do not assume maintenance is or can be effectuated….that would be poor judgement
…ennit?!
Sea Bed Mining will fix all of this.
What ! The OBA/UBP is failing to get the garbage collected ? I blame the minister responsible ! Get rid of the lot !
The PLP need to remember and admit that the Trash trucks were trash when the OBA inherited them !
We don’t need trash to be picked up 2x a week. Once a week is fine and that is what they do in the states no issues. Why does a small little island need two days of trash pickup? Also if the lazy people that don’t recycle would start recycling you would have less trash all around. If you don’t recycle you are lazy. NO excuses please.
This is not a new problem. The OBA inherited the problem from the PLP.
The PLP is to blame here. they suck
No trucks to pick up trash is a direct result of the attitude of the employees of works and engineering. Trash piling on the street yet 2 trash trucks with crews aboard parked side by side on an empty street talking and gossiping. A concerned citizen starts yelling at them to stop the mischief they blame it on truck problem yet truck starts right up and drives attitude board away. Our own fleas bite us the hardest. The only answer is to get rid of those bad apples. No private company would have employees who hold the company hostage.