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JAM | Dec 18, 2023

NEPA serves enforcement notice on Trade Winds Citrus after oil spill

Vanassa McKenzie

Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today

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Logo the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). (Photo: nepa.gov.jm)

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) says it has served an enforcement notice on Trade Winds Citrus to clean up and remediate the immediate environment surrounding an oil spill in the Bog Walk area in St Catherine.

In a statement on Friday, NEPA said its investigation into the oil spill has identified a malfunctioning boiler from the old Jamaica Beverage Plant, now owned and operated by Trade Winds Citrus Limited as the source of the oil spill.

The agency said its intervention involved engaging the assistance of Petrojam in providing booms, absorbent pads, and substances to break down the oil, as well as technical advice for the clean-up exercise.

“So far, a good portion of the oil has been removed from the environment while some has been contained in drains. Unfortunately, there is some amount of oil sheen visible on the water surface stretching from the boom to Bog Walk. As such, NEPA is advising resource users of the river, including fisher folk and recreational and domestic users to be mindful of oil traces and to exercise caution,” NEPA said.

The NEPA said it is unable to quantify the volume of heavy fuel oil that has escaped.

It warned that further enforcement against the company will include legal actions.

Tags
Bog Walk NEPA oil spill Trade Winds Limited

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