Reacting with “deep concern” over reports of the latest fish kill in the Rio Cobre, the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has called for immediate action by the Government through the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

Senator Sophia Frazer-Binns, opposition spokesperson on land, environment and climate change, said the visit from Senator Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, did not go far enough in dealing with what she said was the reality that the Government has failed the residents and communities in and around the Rio Cobre.

FISHERMEN TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE

“Their failure to take decisive action, as provided in the law, has led to this ongoing environmental disaster with little end in sight,” argued Frazer-Binns in a statement today (August 2).

“The destructive financial impact on families who have to start all over as they lose significant earnings due to loss of trade is cruel and must be cauterised. Additionally, the promised assistance by the Government must be immediate and meaningful.”

Samuda during a tour of the Bog Walk gorge and Kent Village in St Catherine on July 31, had said fishermen whose livelihoods had been affected by the fish kill would receive assistance from the Government.

The incident was reportedly the result of a spillage of trade effluent at a bauxite plant in Ewarton that entered waterways in the area and Samuda said a series of assessments would be carried out to determine the way forward. 

Today, the Opposition called for the Government to show its sincerity by debating a motion calling for a review of the Natural Resources and Conservation Act, including penalties provided therein, which was tabled in the Senate more than a year ago.

“It appears that the source of the pollution is known. The perpetrator at their cost, must be made to implement proper and effective remedial steps that will ensure that this does not happen again,” Frazer-Binns said.

MULTIPLE SUCH BREACHES OVER SEVERAL YEARS

She noted that there are powers available to NEPA under varying legislation, including the suspension of the permit of the perpetrator until the problem has been rectified satisfactorily.

Frazer-Binns said there have been multiple such breaches over several years; destroying the livelihood of communities.

The Opposition said it was therefore calling for the Government to “immediately right the wrongs and do more for the people; by using all powers within the law to put an end to the constant and considerable fish kills in the Rio Cobre and the destruction of livelihood”.