KINGSTON, Jamaica — Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), says the decision to dismiss National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) boss, Jennifer Edwards, is “a victory for good governance and accountability”.

This after news emerged yesterday that the board of the NSWMA opted against renewing Edwards’ employment contract, which expired on February 24, 2015. She was, however, asked to continue in the position until March 26, 2015.

The youth arm last week called for the removal of the executive director in light of what it said is a “public health and security crisis at the Riverton City dump” due to the ongoing fire there.

“The response of Prime Minister [Portia Simpson Miller] was unacceptable and risked [damaging] the faith the Jamaican people have in the Government to work in their best interests,” the group said in a media release issued Thursday morning.

Young Jamaica said it would have been difficult to imagine a situation where no one is held accountable given the “unprecedented disruptions to social and economic life in the capital and beyond”, because of the Riverton landfill fire.

“We commend the board for taking action,” the group added.

It said, while the organisation welcomes the decision to “dismiss” Edwards, there should be no political consideration behind appointing her replacement.

“The challenges facing the agency require capable and informed leadership. The Government must appreciate the extent to which it is necessary to appoint an individual with proven competencies suitable to manage the agency at this time,” Young Jamaica insisted.

In the meantime, the group urged all affected by the smoke nuisance to lodge a report with the Public Defender’s office.

“We continue to maintain that this situation breaches the constitutional rights of Jamaicans and we want to see a full ventilation of the constitutional claims in court. Persons should come forward and make their complaints,” the group said.