For years, the government has continued to ignore local and international research which has proven that the burning of waste at landfills produces air toxins such as carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen as well as liberate metals including antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, phosphorus and titanium. These toxins have been linked to respiratory issues, heartbeat irregularities and irritation to eyes nose and throat in the short term as well as liver disease, kidney disease and even cancer in the long term.

In its Charter for Governance, this PLP administration bemoaned what it called a careless attitude in the fight to safeguard the environment. However since taking office three years ago, they have seemingly adopted the very course of action which the party lamented while in opposition. The legislation promised months ago by the Minister responsible, Kendred Dorsett, seems to have gotten lost in the myriad of unfinished or unimplemented initiatives put forth by this administration. Instead the government has relied only on the solutions put forward by Renew Bahamas which recently took over management at the site. Unfortunately without the legislation to give teeth to the work being done by the company, residents will continue to suffer.

Though disappointing, the government’s continued inaction in addressing the direct health concerns created by the burning landfill is indicative of the way they have handled most matters relative to environmental safety and health. If the saying: “ The health of a nation is the wealth of a nation” is to be believed, then the silence and inaction of this Christie administration on matters related to obvious environmental health risks is PROOF that this PLP government cares about neither the Health or Wealth of our country and its people!

Since taking office, this administration has vacillated between two extremes: INACTION and REACTION. This was particularly evident in the government’s handling of the gas leak in the Marathon Constituency. Despite being in possession of proof of the health hazards in the area, the government chose to do nothing, only springing to action after their callous behavior was EXPOSED by the media. TYPICAL! It appears that this government will only act to address the issues if and when the situation becomes too dire. This amounts to nothing more than NEGLIGENCE and an OBVIOUS DERILICTION OF DUTY on the part of the Minister of the Environment and the wider Christie government. The citizens and residents of this country deserve FAR BETTER!

The DNA calls on the Government to fix the problem at the dump. Thousands of residents are suffering and being exposed to toxins because of this government’s inaction. Notwithstanding the cries of the people on this matter the government remains silent. Perhaps international exposure must now be brought to bear in order to get the government’s attention!

Branville McCartney

DNA Leader