Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has called for the removal of the Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Jennifer Edwards, in light of what it says is a “public health and security crisis at the Riverton City dump” due to the ongoing fire there.

Young Jamaica in a media release issued this afternoon said it is accepting nothing less than the resignation of the executive director. “The kind of negligence and inaction we see coming from the NSWMA has put the country in a very untenable position and we’re saying enough is enough. Ms Edwards’ incompetence has been laid bare since she took office; the city has been filthy and these landfill fires continue to pose an unprecedented threat to public health and safety’ the group said adding “We are now seeing a disruption to education and commerce in the capital. Her continued leadership is untenable.”

Young Jamaica also called on the Government to order an investigation into the operations of the NSWMA and the Riverton City dump site, with a view to reinforcing the security of the area, and establishing a credible management structure for the facility.

“We cannot continue to stumble from health crisis to health crisis. A line has to be drawn. The gravity of the situation demands a full investigation. We have to get to the root cause of this problem.”

The group further said that the mismanagement of the landfill violates Article 13 (3) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees to all persons in Jamaica “the right to enjoy a healthy and productive environment free from the threat of injury or damage from environmental abuse”.

“Frankly, what is happening at Riverton City is unconstitutional,” it added.