Peoples Report

Burning issue in Bull Bay

Hugh M. Dunbar, Bay View Close,Bull Bay, St Andrew

As I write this letter, the acrid smell of coal being made in the hills above my house is burning my throat. Since returning to Jamaica, I have noticed the increased level of coal-making here in Bull Bay, and increase in the number of trucks moving aggregate, both marl and riverbed material, and generally, an increase in primary production of raw material, which is simply moving raw material from one place to another.

The coal-making is done once every four to six weeks and lasts for about 10 days, which translates into 10 days of hell. Of course, we have called all the relevant authorities, or the ones we thought were the relevant authorities, and they have been as helpful as the coal man.

It seems that unless matters are taken up personally, they will get nowhere. I will add that we do pay taxes, obey laws, and respect our neighbours' rights, all this to have our own ignored and abused. So my writing is not so much to 'beg' the relevant authorities to do anything, but perhaps to reach out to anyone with a similar burning issue to take heart that they are not alone.

hmdenergy@cwjamaica.com
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NEPA slow to tackle illegal factory in Harbour View

Diana McCaulay, Chief Executive Officer
Jamaica Environment Trust

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is concerned that an illegal concrete-batching plant encroaching on the site for the new Harbour View Sewage-Treatment Facility may delay or compromise the rehabilitation.

While on a routine visit of the construction site for the sewage-treatment facility in September 2010, JET observed a concrete-batching plant, which authorities confirmed was encroaching on part of the land required for the facility. After investigations, JET learned from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) that the plant was operating without an environmental permit as well. Nearly seven months later, and after repeatedly reporting the matter to NEPA, the concrete-batching plant was in operation on Wednesday, March 16.

JET is dismayed by the lack of urgency displayed by NEPA in enforcing the law against the operator of the concrete-batching plant and concerned that the National Water Commission (NWC) might not meet its obligations to fix the sewage plant in the time frame mandate by the court. It was this same failure by regulators to enforce the law that contributed to the lack of a functioning sewage-treatment plant for nearly 30 years for Harbour View. The residents of Harbour View deserve better than this.

On July 6, 2010, JET and residents of Harbour View obtained a consent judgment in their claim against the NWC and other government agencies including NEPA and the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (NRCA). The court order requires the NWC to construct an interim facility to treat the sewage collected from Harbour View within six months, and to construct a permanent sewage-treatment plant within 18 months. The order also recognised the failure of NEPA and the NRCA to enforce the law against the NWC.

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Has Government forgotten about St Thomas?

Taya, Manchester, England

I recently went to Jamaica. I would just like to outline my fury at the way St Thomas has been neglected.

There are various roads leading into St Thomas that haven't even been paved. Areas like Hagley Gap and Mavis Bank are farming communities located on Blue Mountain, with Hagley Gap being closest to Blue Mountain Peak, which I'm sure you already know is a great tourist attraction in Jamaica.

So I struggle to understand why the Government would neglect it so much. Tourism is a very important part of Jamaica's economy. If the roads were fixed, it would help to contribute greatly to tourist attractions as well as help the small businesses in the area. This, again, would only help to boost the economy.

Money aside, the lack of care shown by the Government for the people living in those rural areas alone is outrageous. Because of the condition of the roads, it takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half to get to the depot for public buses in St Andrew by van, a trip that should take as little as 20-30 minutes.

As a result of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the bridge going across Yallahs River leading up to Hagley Gap was ruined, and vehicles are no longer able to cross it. Instead, motorists now have to drive into the river to cross it. In times of heavy rainfall and floods, it is impassable. This route, although a much quicker way of getting up the mountains, has been closed off - for seven years, I have been informed - and the people have waited patiently for something to be done about this.

Enough is enough! It's time the needs of the communities in this area were considered.

It's reasons like these why areas like Portmore are getting overcrowded, because the needs of people living in the rural areas have been overlooked, so people flock to the towns.

justforthem@ive.com
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North West Clarendon's water woes

Marie Williams, Top Alston, Clarendon Town

I write to pen my frustration with the lack of water in North West Clarendon, and Top Alston in particular. It is true that we have grown tired of getting unhygienic water from the river, springs, and gullies, and purchasing water for $800 a barrel which lasts for only a few days.

The residents' main source of livelihood is farming and animal rearing, and water is a natural component of our livelihood and existence, yet we're short on this precious commodity. There are two water supplies in the vicinity. We reside in the middle of both, yet we have no water.

Must we block roads and hold placards to be heard? Must we curse and call on the MP to assist again? Where is he? Can't our voice be heard in a civilised manner? The nature of assisting in ridding the constituency of Richard Azan was to ensure infrastructural and labour development, but Michael Stern has shown little progress in either.

The community is just like it was 15 years ago: no water, poor roads, unemployment, subsistent farming, poor lighting, and overgrown vegetation. Who identifies the needs of the people and makes an effort to address them?

We're asking that the MP unveil his developmental plans with proposed timing for the area. Top Alston needs an MP that attends to the needs of the people.

none@p2102442.pubip.peer1.net
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Kudos, Organised Crime Investigation Division

Christopher Honeywell, Attorney-at-law

Three weeks ago, I was required to represent a client who was involved in an investigation conducted by the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID). This matter concerned a national-security issue and had grave implications for air cargo transit to and from Jamaica. Time was of the essence as delay spelled potential disruption and hardship for several persons and organisations transacting cross-border trade.

This matter was so sensitive that it involved and had implications for the security interests of the United States, Canada, and other countries. It was easy for the investigators in such a scenario to adopt a heavy-handed or overzealous approach which, in the past, has been an unfortunate characteristic of many of the criminal investigations conducted by local law-enforcement agencies. This was refreshingly and emphatically not the case in this instance.

I am pleased to indicate that the officers at the OCID conducted this important investigation in a highly intelligent and efficient manner and utilised their powers in a balanced yet pointed and effective manner. The officers waded through a considerable body of evidence, persons of interest, and downright suspects, and in short order, cracked a case which threatened the livelihood of many and the diplomatic fortunes of the country.

I am always critical of the methods of the police. However, I feel compelled, if only by way of offering some balance, to commend the investigators of the OCID for the expert manner in which they handled the airport-security threat case.

cohoneywell@cwjamaica.com

Tell us about the positives and negatives affecting your community, school or any other social space. Email submissions to letters@gleanerjm.com.