Picture of Audley Gordon

Audley Gordon

Executive Director

National Solid Waste Management Authority

Picture of Owen Ellington

Mr Owen Ellington

Board Chairman

National Solid Waste Management Authority

Picture of Desmond McKenzie

Hon. Desmond McKenzie, MP

Minister with Portfolio: Local Government and Rural Development

Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGCD)

Picture of Marsha Henry-Martin

Mrs. Marsha Henry-Martin

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGCD)

Overview

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) was set up under the National Solid Waste Management Act 2001 and began working in March 2002. The NSWMA was created to build a better garbage collection system for Jamaica. Before this, companies like MPM, WPM, NEPM, and SPM Waste Management Limited handled waste collection. These companies still collect trash, but now the NSWMA oversees their work.

The NSWMA is financed through property tax contributions from the Parochial Revenue Fund and internal revenue. For the Financial Year 2024/25, the Authority has an approved budget of J$ 4.6 billion, with revised estimates increasing to J$8.5 billion to strengthen solid waste collection and disposal services across Jamaica.

The NSWMA is mandated by law to undertake and ensure that the following functions are executed to: 1. effectively manage solid waste in Jamaica to safeguard public health; 2. Ensure that solid waste is collected, stored, transported, recycled, reused or disposed of, in an environmentally sound manner; 3. Promote public awareness of efficient solid waste management and foster understanding of its importance to the conservation, protection, and proper use of the environment and; 4. Introduce cost recovery measures for services provided by or on behalf of the Authority.

To summarise, the NSWMA’s job is to collect and dispose of garbage properly to keep Jamaica clean and protect public health. To achieve this, the staff and the Board of the NSWMA must ensure there is robust corporate governance. Let’s see how they are doing!!

Key Compliance Results

Indicators

Findings

Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile

Chairperson is not sitting more than two consecutive terms

Chairperson that chairs no more than two other public boards

Board with a minimum of 30% male members

Board with a minimum of 30% female members

Current board retained at least 3 members or a third of previous board

Board Charter (which includes conflict of interest provisions)

Non-Executive Independent Chair

Trained Corporate Secretary

Annual board training (in procurement, risk management, etc.)

Annual board evaluation

Board processes are executed (AGM, Annual Calenders, Meeting Frequency, Filings at Companies Office, etc.)

Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary

Information & Disclosure policy

Internal auditor that reports to board through Audit Committee

Audit Committee with Terms of Reference

Audit Committee with three or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance

Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair

Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair

Procurement Committee that rotates members every three years

Independent Chair of Procurement Committee (not chaired by Finance Director)

Board procedures in place regarding procurement oversight

Trained Procurement Committee

Annual Procurement Plan

Annual Report to the Responsible Minister submitted within 4 months of the end of the entity's financial year

Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan in place by Nov 30 (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan)

Annual Report tabled in Parliament within six (6) months of the entity's financial year

Minister issued Statement of Corporate Expectation to board

Chair and Responsible Minister met at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues

Corporate Social Responsibility Framework (including Donations Policy)

Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions

Staff that are trained in Code of Ethics

Whistle Blowing Policy

Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators

Findings

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$3 TRILLION+
not accounted for

HELP US HOLD OUR GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT TO ACCOUNT!

Governance is too important to be left solely to our politicians. Send a letter to your MP and to the Parliament letting them know where you stand.

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