KINGSTON, Jamaica — A small group of People’s National Party (PNP) faithfuls gathered outside the offices of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) on Half-Way-Tree Road in St Andrew to voice their discontent over the non-renewal of Executive Director Jennifer Edwards’ contract.

“The employment contract for the executive director, Ms Jennifer Edwards, ended on February 24, 2015 and she was asked to continue in the position until March 26, 2015. After this date, the deputy chairman of the board, Mr Morin Seymour, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the NSWMA and the regional offices,” a release from the NSWMA said Wednesday.

However, councillor for the Payne Land Division Audrey Smith told OBSERVER ONLINE that, “Jennifer Edwards was led by a board so if they are asking her to step aside the entire board should also step down”.

The decision of the NSWMA board not to renew the contract of its executive director comes amid criticism of the agency’s failure to contain a fire which has been burning at the Riverton dump in St Andrew since last week Wednesday (March 11), causing the closure of schools and businesses and forcing hundreds to seek medical attention for respiratory illnesses.

The group of protestors insisted, however, that Edwards is being used as a scapegoat and cited that no definitive reasons were given as to why her contract would not be renewed. They argued that in the first instance they were told it was because of the ongoing fire at the Riverton landfill, but said they were then told it was because of her “poor” management style.

Toxic smoke from the fire has sickened thousands of people and choked the operations of several schools and businesses in the Corporate Area and St Catherine.

Kimmo Matthews