Gov't spent more than $800m fighting fires at disposal sites

By Halshane Burke 

The government spent more than $800 million fighting fires deliberately set at garbage disposal sites over the period 2011 to 2016.

This was disclosed by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie.

He said the government, through the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), is still paying off debt incurred in fighting the fires.

Mr. McKenzie bemoaned that the more than $800 million spent could have been used to provide much-needed trucks for the NSWMA. 

He was speaking Wednesday morning at the handing over of 50 new garbage trucks and 10 motorcycles to the solid waste authority.