The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday criticised the government for its silence and inaction in addressing the direct health concerns created by persisting issues at the New Providence landfill.

According to Mr McCartney, the government has yet to develop a definitive plan for the Harold Road site despite the “long-standing” grievances residents have about the thick black smoke and the smell of noxious fumes emanating from the property.

The former Bamboo Town MP claimed that for years, the government has continued to ignore local and international research that confirms that the burning of waste at landfills produces air toxins.

He said these toxins have been linked to respiratory issues, heartbeat irregularities and irritation to eyes nose and throat in the short-term as well as liver disease, kidney disease and even cancer in the long-term.

“Since taking office, this administration has vacillated between two extremes: inaction and reaction,” said Mr McCartney.

“Though disappointing, the government’s continued inaction in addressing the direct health concerns created by the burning landfill is indicative of the way they have handled most matters relative to environmental safety and health.”

“If the saying ‘the health of a nation is the wealth of a nation’ is to be believed, then the silence and inaction of this Christie administration on matters related to obvious environmental health risks is proof that this PLP government cares about neither the health nor wealth of our country and its people.”

He indicated that in its Charter for Governance, the PLP administration “bemoaned” the careless attitude of the former administration in the fight to safeguard the environment, but have seemingly adopted the very course of action which the party lamented while in opposition.

“The legislation promised months ago by the minister responsible, Kendred Dorsett, seems to have gotten lost in the myriad of unfinished or unimplemented initiatives put forth by this administration,” Mr McCartney added.

“Instead, the government has relied only on the solutions put forward by Renew Bahamas which recently took over management at the site. Unfortunately, without the legislation to give teeth to the work being done by the company, residents will continue to suffer.”

Mr McCartney likened the government’s approach to the landfill issue to its response to the 2013 Rubis fuel leak.

“Despite being in possession of proof of the health hazards in the area, the government chose to do nothing, only springing to action after their callous behaviour was exposed by the media,” he said.

“It appears that this government will only act to address the issues if and when the situation becomes too dire. This amounts to nothing more than negligence and an obvious dereliction of duty on the part of the minister of the environment and the wider Christie government.

“The citizens and residents of this country deserve far better,” he added.

Fires at the New Providence landfill have been a persistent problem for years.

Renew Bahamas, the company contracted to remediate the landfill, has confirmed that since commencing operations at the Harold Road site it has been plagued by arson attacks.