The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

SOUTH Bimini’s fly infestation has been declared “out-of-control” due to inadequate solid waste management, according to an international expert, who warned that residents and visitors were exposed to serious health risks.

The opinion of Derek Wright, an insect vector control expert from Florida-based distributors ADAPCO, comes as both North and South Bimini are reportedly experiencing an unprecedented infestation of vector capable filth-breeding flies.

Mr Wright identified the landfill on South Bimini as the primary source and breeding site for the filth-breeding fly population on the island during a site inspection in May.

His opinion was presented in a status report commissioned by residents and a local resort’s homeowners association, which pointed to inconsistent waste collection and ineffective operational management or oversight of the South Bimini landfill.

“Recent changes with regard to solid waste management responsibility have apparently resulted in ineffective management, control and transfer of solid waste on the North Island,” the report read.

“Large volumes of rotting municipal solid waste are left stockpiled and openly exposed for extensive periods of time while awaiting transfer to the South island for disposal.

It continued: “The operational control, management and oversight of the landfill located on South Bimini is either non-existent or seriously inadequate and ineffective. This failure is visually apparent from the massive mounds and volumes of exposed and rotting organic solid waste refuse left unattended outside of the primary landfill cell and liner area.”

The report pointed to an absence of any recent excavation, compaction or cover activity within the primary landfill cell and liner area; absence of any identifiable landfill working face; absence of any functioning on-site sorting, excavation or compaction equipment; random and uncontrolled dumping of unsorted solid waste;  general chaos and disorganisation of the entire facility; and massive fly and rodent infestation.

During Mr Wright’s visit, there was less than 20 per cent of the currently exposed solid waste mass present at the site. A physical inspection of the landfill area on July 4 revealed high concentrations of maggots, pupa and swarms of young and adult flies throughout the exposed waste.

The observation, analysis and status report on Bimini’s fly infestation and solid waste management was prepared by Bimini Sands general manager, Michael Munnings Sr, and Thomas Esch, a representative of the Bimini Sands Home Owners Association.

It was presented to the senior undersecretary within the Bimini District of the Office of the Prime Minister, Jack Thompson, on July 7.

The report follows complaints to The Tribune last month from Bimini residents, who claimed that a proliferation of flies and unpleasant odour had overtaken their small community due to the improper and inconsistent handling of solid waste collection and disposal on the island.

According to residents, garbage was loaded and stockpiled onto a barge that remained in Alice Town unattended for a week before being transferred to the South Bimini dumpsite.

“The impacts associated with the current solid waste management changes and respective operational programme have now created seriously adverse health, environmental and economic consequences for the residents, visitors and businesses of the North and South Bimini Islands,” the report read.

“These nuisance, health, environmental and economic impacts and effects are even more pronounced for the South island communities. The increasing influx and volumes of infested solid waste from Resorts World, Bimini Bay, Ferry Terminal and the North Island is in itself problematic.

“However, the transfer and disposal of that same solid waste to what has currently become an ineffective, unmanaged and out-of-control landfill/dumpsite has created an unprecedented and out-of-control fly infestation situation throughout the island of South Bimini.”

The report called for immediate intervention from the government to address the infestation and illegal dumping, and to establish a comprehensive solid waste management plan to ensure the landfill is properly managed and monitored in line with best practices.

“This is urgently needed to prevent permanent ecological damage and to protect the health and welfare of South Bimini residents and visitors alike,” it added.