KINGSTON, Jamaica – Following the government’s announcement that it will be taking a structured, systematic approach to protect the Rio Cobre in St Catherine from further chemical spills, the People’s National Party (PNP) has called for immediate action through the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

Caustic effluent from bauxite and alumina company Windalco spilled into the Rio Cobre resulting in a fish kill, which affected several species and also impacted other aquatic organisms.

READ: Gov’t to take action to protect Rio Cobre following chemical

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Matthew Samuda visited the site and stated that measures will be put in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

READ: WATCH: Samuda heads multi-agency probe into latest chemical spill which led to Rio Cobre fish kill

However, Opposition Spokesperson on Land, Environment and Climate Change, Senator Sophia Frazer-Binns stated that the visit from the minister does not go far enough in dealing with the reality that the government has failed the residents and communities in and around the Rio Cobre.

“Their failure to take decisive action, as provided in the law, has led to this ongoing environmental disaster with little end in sight. The destructive financial impact on families who have to start all over as they lose significant earnings due to loss of trade is cruel and must be cauterised. Additionally, the promised assistance by the Government must be immediate and meaningful”, said Frazer-Binns.

The Opposition went on to urge the Government to show its sincerity by debating the motion which called for a review of the Natural Resources and Conservation Act including penalties provided therein which was tabled in the Senate more than a year ago.

“It appears that the source of the pollution is known. The perpetrator, at their cost, must be made to implement proper and effective remedial steps that will ensure that this does not happen again,” said Frazer-Binns.

Frazer-Binns noted that there are powers available to NEPA under varying legislation including the suspension of the permit of the perpetrator until the problem has been rectified satisfactorily. The Senator expressed that there have been multiple such breaches over several years; destroying the livelihood of communities.

In a final call on the Government to take action, the PNP said,

“The Opposition is therefore calling on the Government to immediately right the wrongs and do more for the people; by using all powers within the law to put an end to the constant and considerable fish kills in the Rio Cobre and the destruction of livelihood.”