By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
ENVIRONMENT Minister Kenred Dorsett hit back at the FNM over its criticisms of the government’s response to the persistent problem of fires at the Harrold Road Landfill, saying that the FNM did nothing to improve the situation when it was in power.
His statement came as officials continue to fight a fire at the dump, the latest example of a problem that has raged for years, alarming residents and raising concerns about the health implications.
After the FNM criticised the government’s inability to solve the problem, Mr Dorsett accused the party on Tuesday night of “trying to be relevant and sway voters.”
He noted that as part of efforts to reform the landfill, the government entered into an agreement with Renew Bahamas to manage the area based on recommendations from a National Energy Task Force (NETF), which was co-chaired by Bamboo Town MP and current FNM member Renward Wells.
Mr Wells quit the PLP last year.
“Anyone visiting the landfill and seeing the Materials Recycling Facility would agree that there has been good progress over the last 18 months,” he said. “Two new weigh-bridges have been installed, recycling at a commercial scale is now a reality and we have lessened the footprint of the dumpsite. However, challenges still exist and there is more work to be done to eradicate all of the challenges which have plagued the landfill for decades. Plans are also being developed to advance medium-term to long-term remediation efforts of the landfill.
“The government is committed to bringing remediation to the New Providence Landfill evidenced by our efforts since coming to office in 2012. The government is also committed to the health and safety of its citizens also evidenced by our efforts to improve the conditions which we met at the landfill. Further evidence of our commitment is the recent removal of the derelict vehicle site from Marshall Road to its new location near the New Providence Landfill. This move is a relief to many who live in Pastel Gardens, Faith Gardens, Misty Gardens, Marshall Road, the students and faculty at Anatol Rodgers High School and residents in other neighbouring communities.”
“The Free National Movement is proficient in meaningless talk for political mileage as it has no record on which to stand concerning remediation of the New Providence Landfill. I wish to assure the public that the fires at the dump are a major concern for this administration. We will continue our work until this historical problem is no more. The government’s commitment to public health and safety, good environmental stewardship and permanent solutions as regard the landfill remains intact.”
Comments
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
and my grama did not pay her last BTC invoice before she died..... we still had to pay it.
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
these people love to throw fog grenades around them to mask their pitiful track record.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 1 month ago
That's why you were elected. I would dare say none of the FNM's in the House are living in Jublilee Gardens, it's those people who can't breathe properly that you need to be concerned about. Focus
Mayaguana34 8 years, 1 month ago
What the hell does this have to do with politics - The Government turned over management to a foreign company whose owners are still unknown to The Bahamian people - Can they not be held accountable for what happens on the property they profit from and if they are incompetent can they be fired for breach of contract (if we ever see one) - Join the protest at Bahamar on Sunday!
Sickened 8 years, 1 month ago
Tell us more about this protest. Is this when those foreigners are going to be at the Baha Mar conference center.
We should line the streets of cable beach with placards when these foreigners come in.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
Dorsett might have a point ........ but he should come clean on the under the table Renew Bahamas contract ............. it has not been tabled in the parliament as yet .... that's worse
TigerB 8 years, 1 month ago
I'm still puzzle as to how a whole sub division could be approved to build there knowing that that is what dump sites do, they burn. One of the reasons it was move from Blue hills was the same problem. They need to look at suing the persons who sole land in that area. Ill bet there will be action then!!
asiseeit 8 years, 1 month ago
IS THIS KINDERGARTEN? Two wrongs do not absolve you from your responsibility to the people of The Bahamas TODAY! So your excuse is they did nothing, we did nothing, so I will continue to do nothing. Yinna is killing Bahamians with this nasty dump smoke. Also may I remind the good minister that HIS party has been the government for 34 of the last 49 years while the FNM has only held power for 15, the burden of accountability whieghs upon those in power. Sadly this fact has been ignored by our esteemed and honorable political elite. Pig's at the trough.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 1 month ago
Well what the hell was Renew hired for?!?!
What an idiotic and childish excuse.
Jonahbay 8 years, 1 month ago
This is just not good enough. We must breathe in the carcinogenic smoke why? Why is there an improperly managed landfill in the middle of the island? Why should we accept this problem for another day? This is not business as usual. You cannot say the Fnm did nothing so I do nothing. We have to do better than this. Maybe we could hold a session of Parliament at the landfill, or better yet run a pipe and bring some of the smoke to them. What happened to the Bahamian proposal by a group of Bahamians to manage the landfil? Why must this plp gov in particular sell us out to the foreigner every time, instead of seeing the value of those people right in front of them? Oh yeah they can't get their kickback or own part of the company that way. Sickening, truly this level of greed and selfishness is killing The Bahamas. Wait for the mesothelioma cancer to take hold if these fires continue.
Tarzan 8 years, 1 month ago
It is always the same pat answer from this government. Never address an issue regardless how urgent or important it may be. Always deflect, and the first resort is "They did it too." As if that were any kind of explanation for government's total failure to govern. "Save the Bays is attempting to destabilize this government." Really? What more could any organization do that the current Administration is not doing more and better in that pursuit?
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