Opposition calls for immediate update on recent Rio Cobre fish kill
/ Our Today
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Opposition Spokesperson on Environment and Climate Change, Senator Sophia Frazer-Binns, is calling for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to provide an immediate update on the progress made in addressing the Rio Cobre fish kill which occurred over a month ago.
In a statement this morning (September 21), the People’s National Party (PNP) noted that NEPA has a duty to update the nation on the progress made, including its plans to call on the environmental performance bond.
Additionally, as the assessment by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation—under which NEPA and the wider environment portfolio are managed—is yet to be tabled in Cabinet, the Opposition is questioning whether the Government is taking the chemical spill caused by Windalco seriously.
NEPA has been tasked to answer the following questions:
- If and when the environmental performance bond was called on?
- Who will benefit from the fund and how the fund will be shared?
- Whether any Government Department or Agencies will benefit from the fund?
- What if any steps have been taken since serving notice on Windalco?
- Was an appeal filed by Windalco and if so, when?
- Was the appeal heard and what was the result?
- What are the results of the August 8, 2022 meeting between NEPA and Windalco?
According to the PNP, transparency is essential to building trust and confidence in NEPA.
“Providing this kind of transparency will give comfort and hope to the residents whose health, lives and livelihoods have been so negatively impacted by this Fish Kill”, said Frazer-Binns.
The Opposition is further calling on NEPA to provide specific timelines of the necessary actions which will prevent Windalco from releasing more effluence in the Rio Cobre.
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