Dear Editor,

It has been reported that Caricom nations are now alerted to the likelihood of the Gulf oil disaster impacting the Bahamas and Jamaica in the form of oil reaching our shores. Several weeks ago the US government talked with Cuban officials about the likelihood of the oil reaching Cuban shores.

Any Jamaican who is outraged by the Gulf catastrophe should be outraged that in Jamaica the same structures and mindsets are in place, that is, the US Minerals Management Service; the same government agency that gives permits is the same agency that oversees enforcement. With the mandate of business first over protecting the environment and the public sphere, and the cosy relationship between the permitting agency and those with money and influence, waivers are given so that no environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required, inadequate safety plans are passed with a wink, a smile and a nod.

This is the same situation we have in Jamaica where NEPA is the agency whose mandate is to foster development through granting permits, while at the same time the agency is supposed to enforce compliance with environmental regulations.

I was in Falmouth recently to witness the destruction of hundreds of acres of wetlands and the dumping of the harbour so that a foreign corporation can own and control its very own fantasy fiefdom. And the Government of Jamaica thinks this is a very good idea? If there is anyone in the Jamaican government – not the least of all the prime minister who, oddly enough is minister of the environment – who will safeguard the natural resources, the assets of Jamaica so that current and future generations can be protected, please stand up and be counted.

If you are appalled by what is happening in the Gulf, then wake up to what is happening in Jamaica because the very same principles are at play.

Dr Esther Figueroa

Gordon Town, St Andrew

mediavagabond@gmail.com