The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday castigated the Christie administration over Renew Bahamas, as he demanded transparency regarding the landfill management company saying it came to the country “under very suspicious circumstances”.

Renew Bahamas, which is contracted to remediate the New Providence Landfill, has been in headlines this week because of questions over the appearance of hazardous medical waste at the compound and job cutbacks.

The former Bamboo Town MP said he was also informed that staff members had been working under unsuitable conditions coupled with strained relations between company executives and employees.

These issues, Mr McCartney said, drew questions over the terms and conditions of Renew’s contract, as he criticised the company for failing to control the numerous fires at the dump. In these hot summer months, he said additional fires were bound to burn amid perceived troubles with the company.

“We don’t know what Renew Bahamas was put there for,” Mr McCartney said when he was contacted yesterday. “We are still waiting to find out what the deal is with them. They recently spoke about changing the terms of the contract and we haven’t heard anything further on that. We have heard them speak many times about recycling, but I don’t see where that has gotten us any further.

“Now there is this talk about hazardous waste. I don’t know too much about that in terms who dumps there or what they should be doing.”

He added: “But what I do know is the dump hasn’t been remediated and the government hasn’t done anything. Soon the fires would begin again and businesses and schools will soon be closing. I do know that Renew Bahamas came here under very suspicious circumstances and I do know that the government is reluctant to say what was the agreement and what their purpose is.”

On Wednesday, Environment and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett said his ministry is addressing the appearance of hazardous medical waste found at the New Providence Landfill.

His statement followed a Nassau Guardian report that said an investigation was underway by Renew Bahamas officials to find out how biohazardous waste, said to originate from the Princess Margaret Hospital, made it to the landfill’s site.

The material, according to the report, was said to include AIDS and hepatitis waste that was not incinerated before it was taken to the site.

Regarding the staff lay-offs, approximately 40 workers were made redundant since the start of June, the company’s new Chief Executive Officer Michael Cox told The Tribune.

The revelation came as the company admitted on Wednesday that Renew Bahamas has been forced to make some “cutbacks” as it continues to negotiate with the government on re-establishing the parameters of its management contract for the landfill.

Mr Cox also confirmed that long-standing CEO and President Gerhard Beukes has stepped down from his position with the company.

On Wednesday, some employees also alleged to The Tribune that they were owed three weeks pay and were going to work on “pins and needles” each day.