Environmental group says scrap metal sites illegal
Monique Grange, Assistant News Editor The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) says the three multi-user sites from which the scrap metal trade will be operated are illegal.
According to JET’s CEO, Diana McCaulay no environmental permit was granted for the use of the sites, two of which are in Kingston and the other in Clarendon.
She explained that under Natural Resources Conservation Act, enterprises that store scrap metal require an environmental permit.
However, she said following an Access to Information Act inquiry to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), JET was advised that no application was made for the required permits for the three sites.
She is objecting to the practice of government agencies breaching environmental laws.
Meanwhile, McCaulay is also expressing other concerns about the reopening of the scrap metal trade.
She said her organisation remains doubtful that the government has the enforcement capability to regulate the trade.
McCaulay said she is still awaiting responses from the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton and Local Government Minister Noel Arscott about issues relating to the Riverton site in Kingston.
JET believes that site will not be able to accommodate increased traffic now that the trade has reopened.
McCaulay also notes that there are many unsolved public health, environmental and security problems at Riverton.