KINGSTON, Jamaica – People’s National Party Spokesperson on Environment and Ecological Heritage, Senator Sophia Frazer Binns, has raised concerns about what she describes as the “unregulated development and destruction of mangroves at Fort Rocky.”

She claimed that this latest destruction is particularly disturbing as it was carried out by agents of a Ministry of Government and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

“The destruction of mangroves and haphazard development in such a historically and environmentally sensitive area is unacceptable,” Frazer Binns stated. “This kind of action on the part of a ministry demonstrates either ignorance of or indifference to our planning and environmental laws, neither of which is acceptable as such actions put our environment and ecological heritage at risk.”

The senator is calling for greater synergy among government ministries and agencies.

“We need a structured framework where agencies work together to achieve sustainable development and protect our heritage. There must also be stronger public education so that everyone, including legislators and all citizens, understands the importance of protecting the environment,” she argued.

She emphasised that the PNP supports development in all sectors “but it must be done responsibly with due consideration to our environment and ecological heritage.”

She also commended the swift action taken by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) in serving enforcement notices.