OPPOSITION Leader Andrew Holness says the prime minister’s handling of the Riverton fire issue was cringe-worthy, and the Government acted irresponsibly towards the Jamaican people in dealing with the problem.

Speaking at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) St Andrew Eastern constituency conference at Papine High School yesterday, Holness made particular mention of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s response when asked by members of the media whether National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) head Jennifer Edwards should be sacked.

“The Government is not responsible. Every well-thinking Jamaican is cringing right now, and we as Labourites should stop distracting ourselves from the issues,” Holness said.

Simpson Miller had told members of the press that she saw no reason to cashier Edwards as the NSWMA boss did not start the fire, which had much of Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine blanketed in smoke for 13 days.

A day after Simpson Miller’s statement, Edwards was told by the NSWMA board chairman that her extended contract would not be renewed. Her last day in office is March 26.

Meanwhile, Howard Chamberlain, president of Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the JLP, yesterday reiterated statements he made earlier labelling Edwards’ dismissal as good for democracy.

“Two years now Young Jamaica called for the head of Jennifer Edwards. It all started when we found out that she was the executive director of the NSWMA and that she continued to hold the position as the chairman for the People’s National Party Women’s Movement. From that time Young Jamaica has been calling on her to resign,” he said.

He pointed out that there were many problems that came during Edwards’ tenure.

“Lest we forget, our garbage went uncollected. Lest we forget, our cities and communities went dirty. Lest we forget…”

He added that the recent fire at Riverton was not the first under Edwards’ leadership, and therefore she should have been in a better position to properly address or prevent the issue.

The NSWMA board reacted amidst mounting criticisms over the management of the Riverton dump.

“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,” the board said in a statement.

It said the long-term management of the Riverton disposal site is being actively reviewed by the authority in consultation with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.