Following significant demand from members of the public after last week’s passage of Hurricane Fiona, the Ministry of Public Works has decided to extend its waiver of fees related to the commercial disposal of horticultural waste.

This waiver, effective only for the Marsh Folly site in Pembroke, has been extended until Saturday, 8 October. The standard fees associated with commercial horticultural waste disposal will be reinstated on Monday, 10 October.

The Ministry of Public Works reminds the public to tune in to the Government of Bermuda Facebook page this evening, Wednesday, 28 September, for a live video presentation on its water sector consultation.

 From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. hosts J. Tarik Christopher, from the Ministry of Public Works, and John Ikeda from Castalia Advisors, will discuss the consultation and take questions from viewers. It will be moderated by Tari Trott from the Department of Communications.

The Ministry of Public Works is advising members of the public that effective Tuesday, 20 September, the wearing of face masks in Government buildings was made optional. 

However, people with medical vulnerabilities are encouraged to wear masks if physical distancing cannot be maintained.

“As outlined in the government’s platform of 2017, members of the public will recall several commitments designed to enhance our citizens’ lives,” said Minister of Public Works, Lt. Col. the Hon. David Burch,OBE (Mil), ED, JP, MP, as the Ministry launches a public consultation on improving Bermuda’s water sector.

The Ministry of Public Works advises that due to the Public Holiday & National Day of Mourning on Monday, 19 September 2022, household waste that would usually be collected on that day will be collected on Tuesday, 20 September. 

All garbage collection on the week of the 19th will follow a rollover schedule, with Tuesday’s garbage collected on Wednesday, Wednesday’s collected on Thursday, Thursday’s collected on Friday and Friday’s collected on Saturday. 

“As the annual Cup Match holiday fast approaches, I know that many residents will take the opportunity to make use of our beautiful parks and beaches during the holiday weekend. 

“As we keep with the Cup Match tradition and come together to enjoy Bermuda’s outdoor wonders, I encourage everyone to practise safety and to help play their part in ensuring that our outdoor spaces are left in a pristine condition. I wish to take this opportunity wish everyone a safe and memorable holiday,” said Minister of Public Works, Lt. Col. the Hon. David Burch, JP, MP.

“I’m pleased by the progress of the preliminary work underway in the East-End for the construction of the St. George’s Marina. We promised to advance this construction and that promise is being kept. 

“There is no doubt that when this Marina is completed, it will contribute towards the economic revival in St. George’s, alongside the St. Regis Hotel and several initiatives underway. 

The Ministry of Transport, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Marine and Ports Services advise the public that an additional 31 abandoned and derelict boats, owners unknown, will be removed and discarded shortly. This is in addition to the notices earlier this year to remove 54 abandoned vessels.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to bring to the attention of this Honourable House the successful training of Thirty-Five (35) Bermudians within the Horticultural industry through the partnership between the exceptional Skills Development Programme (“SDP”) run by Mr. Roger Parris and his team, the Department of Parks and The Kingston Maurward College.

The Ministry of Public Works advises that an acute shortage of the number of operational garbage collection trucks for the Island has been improved thanks to valiant efforts by the Public Works team.

The Minister of Public Works the Hon. Lt. Col. David Burch said: “Today we are pleased to report that we now have ten trucks in service, which amounts to 67 per cent of our fleet, up from four trucks a few weeks ago.

“This is a marked improvement. I am extremely proud of the work that has been done to get the trucks back in service.