The Editor, Sir:The town of Buff Bay is the second most-populated in Portland, the ecological centerpiece of Jamaica.
Idyllically located on the Caribbean Sea along the north coast of Jamaica, Buff Bay is also the town centre for west Portland. It has a fast-growing population, and there are some major plans for growth and development, many of which are planned with the environmental and ecological importance of Portland in mind.
However, at the entrance to this paradise just chains from the sea is located, the dump operated by the National Solid Waste Management Agency, that accepts garbage from as far as St. Ann and St. Mary.
Furthermore, the dump is in the middle of the wetlands home of some of the most exotic birdlife in Jamaica. Not only is the dump an eye sore to the entrance of the town, it poses a great environmental and health risk as the area for miles is infested by flies.
Compounding the problem is tha the dump was originally about a mile off the main road (Highway 2000) from Kingston to Port Antonio, people are now dumping their waste at the entrance to the road leading from the main road to the dump site - quite visible to all passing by.
A restaurant/rest spot less than a mile from the dump is being developed, but is in jeopardy because of the flies.
Another such spot about three miles from the dump is so plagued by flies that it spoils a good fish meal by the time spentfanning away the flies.
An approved 40-odd unit middle-income residential complex in Woodstock Pines less than two miles from the dump, will also be made less attractive to investors and potential purchasers if that dump is allowed to remain. So, too, is the planned multi-unit, gated residential complex being planned for Spring Garden, the organic agricultural projects planned for Charles Town and Spring Garden, and the already existing Mekyah spring water operation in Spring Garden, just a few miles from the dump.
I am,etc.,
JULIAN 'Jingles' REYNOLDS
Chairman
Anything From Jamaica Ltd.
Spring Garden,
Buff Bay P.O., Portland
