The Tribune

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Deputy Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip "Brave" Davis was adamant yesterday that the former administration left preventative measures in place to avoid recurring fires at the New Providence Landfill as residents continue to struggle with the toxic smoke currently emanating from the dumpsite.

Claiming these mechanisms were "dismantled" by the Minnis administration, Mr Davis pointed the finger at a previous Free National Movement regime suggesting it did not utilise $25m from the Inter-American Development Bank for the purpose of properly constructing the landfill.

The day after residents who live in communities near the dumpsite said they have found themselves again going through routine recovery because of the noxious smoke from the site, Mr Davis sought to shift blame from the previous Christie administration under which he served as deputy prime minister and minister of works.

However, recurring fires at the dump were a vexing issue for the Christie administration as well, the last one burning for nearly three weeks in March 2017.

"We know that when we left office we had left preventative measures in place to avoid the fires and to be able to react expeditiously to any signs of fires," the PLP leader said yesterday during his monthly press conference at the party's Farrington Road headquarters.

"I am advised that plan has been dismantled and a number of persons were asked to leave the dumpsite with the necessary machinery and equipment to be available at a moment's notice.

"They were asked to leave and now they are being asked to come back. If they were there I am advised that the fire and the smoke and the stench of the smoke would not be as it is today.

"I am reminded that schools were closed yesterday and, of course, this is not supposed to happen under the FNM. The hotels are affected in Cable Beach. Again this is not supposed to happen under the FNM."

Asked to explain further the former government's proactive measures, Mr Davis said the landfill is not a properly designed or constructed site.

"That goes back to a previous administration of the FNM when the IDB bank provided funding for a properly constructed landfill and provided I think about $25m for the construction of the Harrold Road landfill, putting in the proper cells, the proper lining and for the proper disposal of garbage.

"Now the IDB bank has indicated it was not done. The funds have gone. No one knows what happened to those funds and why the landfill was never designed as was originally contemplated."

"In fact I heard the (Environment) Minister Romauld Ferreira speaking about the landfill and talking about the state of the landfill and he was decrying and talking about the fact that it was not properly constructed. Well he just needs to go back and ask (Finance) Minister (Peter) Turnquest to go and check to see what happened."

He continued: "The plans of the (former) government was to first of all start a recycling of the product and the garbage that was being brought and to remediate the whole site. There were a number of issues relating to getting that done so the minister of the environment then, Ken Dorsett, went out to bid for an entity to come and remediate the whole landscape. "That was well in train and before we were able to identify that person elections came and we were without and we are now hearing they have rolled back those plans.

"I don't know where it is other than the platitudes and generalisations or broadsides about what we didn't do and what should have been done the question is what you gonna do now?"

While the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP claims not to know the progress of land remediation at the landfill, Mr Ferreira said last month 18 expressions of interest were received. This is a stark increase when compared to the meagre two EOI received under the former Christie administration.

Renew Bahamas was also contracted under the former government to remediate the landfill. In October 2016 the company discontinued its work.

On Saturday, January 27, a fire erupted at the dump, sending plumes of black smoke in the air. More than a week later, locals said Monday they were still grappling with the effects of noxious smoke.

It is an issue that residents have placed at the feet of previous administrations.

Given the frustration of this issue, 111 residents have retained the services of attorney Fred Smith, QC, to represent them in a class action lawsuit.

All classes at St John's College were cancelled Monday due to excessive smoke on the school's campus and immediate vicinity.