By Trudy Simpson, Staff ReporterRAT-INFESTED PREMISES near to the Tivoli Gardens High School, including areas near to the May Pen Cemetery in western Kingston, are to be cleaned up soon, says Councillor for the Tivoli Division, Senator Desmond McKenzie.
Mr. McKenzie said that he has submitted an estimate for the clean-up of the area of more than $300,000 and was "awaiting some funds from the Ministry of Local Government to do some cleaning around the area adjacent to the school. I should be in position to start something between now and next week," he added.
The section which will be cleaned is adjacent to the Tivoli Gardens High School, an area measuring 500 to 700 yards from Industrial Terrace. "It is an area which covers the length of the school adjacent to the May Pen Cemetery on the southern side," he said.
His comments follow discussions with the Ministry, which he said, has given approval.
The clean-up follows public complaints made by Mr. McKenzie last month about the presence of rats at the high school.
He said that the massive clean-up is necessary because while "there has been a significant improvement...if the place remains in the same condition, it will only go back to the way it was before."
He admitted that cleaning was needed in the area not only because of the condition of the overgrown May Pen Cemetery but because persons in and around the school "also contribute ... by throwing food particles and other items into the back of the place.
"So what we are going to be doing is cleaning that section of the cemetery and a section of the school compound. I don't know if (the money sent) will be adequate based on the availability of funds, but I think that that would enable us to do some work until the major aspect of the cleaning (of the cemetery) starts. I am still waiting to hear when that will come up."
PROMISES
He noted that late last year, he received promises that bushing of the cemetery would have commenced on January, 6. However, that deadline passed more than three months ago.
Public Health officials spent the recent school mid-term break setting baits and carrying out activities aimed at ridding the school of rats after Senator McKenzie expressed alarm that the school was being overrun by huge rats which, he said, came from the overgrown and dilapidated May Pen Cemetery nearby on Spanish Town Road.
However, Dr. Herb Elliott, medical officer of Health for Kingston and St. Andrew dismissed his claims, stating that the Public Health Department is being told by the people that what is coming from the cemetery is mongoose, which, the Medical Officer said, hunt and kill rats.
STEMMING THE PROBLEM
He added that rats are attracted by food sources, which the school readily provides. Dr. Elliott was also concerned that the school has ignored recommendations given to it a year ago to help stem the problem. Among these was a recommendation that the school put mesh around its kitchen. A 30-day notice was later issued to the school, he said.
Principal of the school, Wesna Nolan, refused to talk with The Gleaner on Monday, except to admit that she had not received any notice from the Public Health Department.
Senator McKenzie said he was also unaware that a 30-day notice had been served on the school. He also disagreed with Dr. Elliott's remarks about the mongoose.
