Sunset Resort blames contractor for illegal waste disposal

THE Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort has admitted that refuse from its property was illegally dumped along a roadway in St Ann on the weekend.

However, it said the contractor hired to remove the waste has taken full responsibility for the incident and has already paid the $10,000 fine imposed on the resort by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

In a statement yesterday, the resort said it was made aware of the incident by the waste management company on March 1, but maintained that it was not directly at fault.

"Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa's recent citation by the National Solid Waste Management Authority on March 1, 2010 was a direct result of a third-party waste management contracting company's violation of Jamaica's anti-dumping laws," the company said.

"We note that the third-party company has taken full responsibility for the citation and have paid the required fines to the NSWMA, in addition to cleaning up the area as stipulated by the authority within the specified time," it added.

The NSWMA, on Saturday, had given the resort three days within which to clean the refuse from the roadway in Exchange in addition to a formal warning.

The NSWMA order came after the driver of the truck was seen dumping the garbage along the roadway. Apart from the $10,000 fine imposed on the resort, the haulage contractor was also fined $2,000.

In the meantime, the resort said it has "taken steps to ensure that there is no repeat" of Saturday's incident.

"As good corporate citizens, the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa has for the past five years worked at considerable expense with the Ministry of Tourism/Tourism Product Development Company's Resort Board that includes NSWMA, NWA and the Parish Council, to clean the gully directly beside the Ocho Rios property and remain committed to this task. We therefore understand the need to ensure that our environment is kept clean for our own Jamaicans as well as our overseas guests," the resort said.

"Sunset Resorts maintains strict corporate policies to adhere to all Jamaican laws and ensures that all team members follow standard operating procedures in their day to day jobs in keeping with environmental best practices," it added.

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