A few days ago, photos started to appear on my Twitter timeline of a considerable oil spill near Gordon Cay, in Kingston Harbour. Now here is a release from the Jamaica Environment Trust, suggesting that it would be very nice if we could have some information from the relevant Government agencies. Who was responsible, and will they be held accountable? Can we have an update please, NEPA?
December 1, 2016
LACK OF INFORMATION ON KINGSTON HARBOUR OIL SPILL IS UNACCEPTABLE – JET
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is concerned about the lack of information surrounding the oil spill in the Kingston Harbour last week Thursday. The spill was reported to have taken place on the afternoon of Thursday, November 24; but JET has received reports that an oil slick had been observed in the Harbour since Wednesday, November 23.
“The lack of information from the Government surrounding this major oil spill is unacceptable,” said Diana McCaulay, CEO of JET. “We have heard that the oil came from three different sources, but we have received no official word from either the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) or the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to confirm or deny this.” Ms McCaulay went on to say that there are also conflicting reports as to the origins of the spill and when it began.
On Friday, November 25, NEPA issued a press release saying that they were investigating a report of an oil spill in the Kingston Harbour which occurred Thursday afternoon. At the time, the agency said a preliminary report indicated that the spill took place in the vicinity of Gordon Cay and that ODPEM was coordinating the cleanup with containment activities being undertaken by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard.
“There has been no word from the agencies involved in the cleanup efforts since last Friday,” said McCaulay “The report should have been completed and released to the public. We need to know who the responsible parties were, what steps will be taken to hold them to account, and the status of the clean up.”
Contact:
Diana McCaulay
CEO, JET
469-1315
Suzanne Stanley
Deputy CEO, JET
470-7580
Petchary's Blog 
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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Thanks very much for the reblog!!
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Anytime and always.
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Sometimes I think that ‘they’ with thick skins hope that the defenders of nature eventually tire and go away. Thank you for standing up for what’s right, letting others know what’s happening, and setting an example. You are tireless, and may you never grow weary of fighting those dragons.
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