Hard-working taxpayers in some communities of Portmore say that their lives are a living hell because they have to fork out money to pay unscrupulous garbage collectors to remove waste materials from their premises.

"We are forced to pay the garbage collectors money or they refuse to take up our garbage," a disgruntled resident told THE PORTMORE STAR.

Councillor for the Independence City division, Keith Blake, said that he has been getting complaints from residents about contractors collecting money to remove garbage from residents premises and this he says will not be tolerated. "I have heard the complaints, but a woman who I spoke with said that the truck drove off without her getting its licence plate. I will report this incident at the next council meeting," Councillor Blake said. "The problem is that we (Portmore Council) are not in charge of these contractors, they are the responsibility of the National Solid Waste Management Authority."

Last Thursday morning,Doris Chambers, a woman who lives in Cumberland, said that side men working on a garbage truck demanded money for collecting garbage from her.

Jennifer, who lives in Independence City, said that the garbage bin at the back of her house is piling up for the past two weeks as she refuses to give the garbage collectors money to remove her waste. "I called the mayor's office but I'm not getting through but, I plan to report the matter to the police," she said.

The Caymanas police said that they aren't aware of this practice as they haven't received a formal report, while calls to the NSWMA went unanswered.

The Portmore Municipal Council collects property taxes for garbage collection within the municipality. Under the law, it is illegal for anyone to solicit money from residents in exchange for the removal of garbage.

Names changed upon request.