SINCE a major fire, followed by the heated exchanges between Government and Opposition on the issue in the House of Representatives, not much has been heard about the future of the Riverton dump, raising concerns about whether anything will ever be done to secure the facility.

Riverton was the site of a major fire which started on March 11 this year and continued for several days, creating poor air quality, halted activities in Kingston and St Catherine, as affected businesses and schools sent as many as 600 people to public health facilities as a result of smoke inhalation during the fire.

But despite the recent silence, Riverton continues to be a matter of concern to the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), some ministries and agencies of Government, residents of the Kingston Metropolitan Area, which includes Riverton, and the not-for-profit public policy think tank, the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI).

There is concern about speculation that consumer items like meat and eggs are sourced from the dump and distributed for sale to unaware consumers but, even more dreaded is the possibility of another fire at the unsecured and underdeveloped site which sent more than 500 persons to seek medical attention in March.

But Minister of Industry, Investments and Commerce Anthony Hylton, who has since 2007 been representing the Western St Andrew constituency, which includes the Riverton community, believes that there is a profitable and healthy future for the facility, with some help from his colleagues in Government.

So, too, does CaPRI, which believes that for the transformation to be effected, would require the involvement of private investors.

Hylton thinks that if he can get the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and the National Works Agency (NWA) to play a joint role to expedite the development of the dump’s energy producing potential, it can become profitable.

“There exists the potential for not just fixing the access roads to the landfill, but converting it into a waste-to-energy plant,” he told the recently concluded state of the constituency debate in the House of Representatives, while acknowledging the contribution of the Mexican Government to the rehabilitation of the main access road at a cost of US$1.8 million or J$209 million.

“I can inform this Honourable House that investor interest in developing the energy potential of the landfill is high. I am, therefore, calling on the National Works Agency, the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining and the Ministry of Local Government to exercise a joined-up Government approach in order to expedite the process,” Hylton asked.

In reference to public perception of the residential community around the dump, which is also known as Riverton Meadows, he said that the residents are “largely by-passed by the wider public”, unless there is a fire at the dump, which brings it into national focus.

“However, the community is in need of support. We have all felt the effects of the fires at the landfill. During the most recent fire, I was faced with sick residents that had mounting health bills, families demanding dust masks and children unable to attend school,” he told the House.

“The solution presented is, therefore, a good opportunity for developing the landfill, creating an healthier environment and a better standard of living for the residents in Riverton Meadows and the neighbouring communities,” he stated.

Hylton, at the same time, insisted that the problems at Riveron cannot be allowed to continue.

“Nor, should we see its resolution as solely the responsibility of the MP,” he added.

CaPRI, in an article on the issue, published in its June publication, pointed out that the March fire alone cost the country approximately $400 million.

CaPRI said that, apart from its poor management, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), which operates the dump, has also failed to adhere to the terms of its licence as stipulated by the National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA).

“Therefore, there is an urgent need to transform these dump-sites into best practice landfills,” the institution recommended.

CaPRI says that the transformation may require large capital expenditure, which might be difficult to acquire in the current fiscal climate. But, suggested a public-private partnership (PPP) model for waste management, as a potentially viable option for the Government.

“The PPP is expected to promote efficiency and productivity in the waste management system and generate revenues by converting waste to energy,” CaPRI noted.

Data from the Ministry of Energy and Mining suggest potential profit from the transformation of the facility, including US$143 million in one-time foreign direct investment for construction of a 35MW plant to process 1,800 tonnes of waste per day; US$3 065 million from the sale of generated electricity; as well as pre interest, taxes depreciation and amortisation earnings.

Apart from the economic benefits to the waste to energy process, CaPRI has summarised other benefits, including the creation of 200 jobs for the installation, operation and management of the facility; an annual reduction in oil import bill by US$37.4 million; and a general reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

“As such, the call for public private partnerships should be taken seriously,”CaPRI said.

But not much has been heard from the authorities since, although CaPRI urged the relevant agencies to become pro-active in executing a waste management policy that fixes the problem of the Riverton dump, and waste management in general, rather than dealing with the consequences of a poorly managed dump.

Waste to energy is a form of energy recovery in which heat or electricity is generated from the incineration of waste. But, rather than polluting the atmosphere with gases released during incineration. The gases are used to produce steam which, in turn, is converted to electricity.

It is considered renewable energy since its fuel source – or waste – is sustainable and naturally replenished.