NEPA vs Appleton
Published:Saturday | August 21, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
The communities of Thornton, Siloah, Aberdeen, Quickstep, Bogue, Roses Valley, Balaclava and other neighbouring districts fear extinction if the Appleton distillery and sugar factory are shuttered. And if not extinction, an uncertain future beckons. We all know that rural poverty is far worse than urban poverty, hence the mass migration to the cities in search of jobs.
With this in mind, we the citizens of these communities must appeal to the Government to treat the matter of the impasse between Appleton and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) with the urgency it deserves.
Appleton Estate does not only manufacture rum and sugar, it provides employment for many families in the surrounding area. The economic spin-offs reach as far as Santa Cruz and Black River. Schools close to the factory are assisted with repairs, donations of computers and other learning tools. Shops, credit union, PC bank and other small businesses thrive from income generated from Appleton. North East St Elizabeth would face severe hardships without the factory, and many small businesses would close.
Environmental standards
At the same time, we understand that the company must comply with the environmental standards. As such, investigations reveal that Appleton Estate expended millions of dollars since 2000 in an effort to conform to the guidelines, thus improving and restoring the standard of the environment.
Certainly, there must be some form of win-win situation that can be brokered by the Government. We do understand the delicate nature of this matter to protect our environment. On the other hand, based on what is being observed in the communities, Appleton is making an effort to improve the manner in which it monitors and disposes of its waste and effluents, and this should be recognised.
We think that the NEPA should work in a cooperative manner with Appleton Estate, and should not be in the authoritative and dictatorial mode in which it now appears to be operating. Workers who have been laid off for months have been blaming NEPA for their plight.
It cannot be beyond us to ensure that the environment is protected and at the same time insist that the company remain open for business. If we cannot accomplish both then we will all be losers.
I am, etc.,
TREVOR CAMERON
for Executive of Balaclava
Development Area Committee