Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement by Fred Mitchell MP for Fox Hill:

Yesterday the residents of this area and its environs were enveloped in smoke as a result of a fire which simmered underground in a makeshift dumpsite just below where we are.

I believe that after a night of work last night, the mobilization of tractors and water trucks and the management by the Fire Department of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the fire is under control.

I wanted the country to be aware of the situation here and to warn the residents of New Providence generally who have been using this site for illegal dumping.

The environment of New Providence has been scarred in so many areas because of the dumping of refuse indiscriminately. This is a practice to be deplored and should cease. I wanted to urge people to stop the indiscriminate dumping and renew my efforts to make sure that the environment in our constituency and island is kept clean and safe.

I want to thank the Minister for the Environment Ken Dorsett for immediately coming to the scene, Henry Dean for his assistance with the water trucks, Derek Davis for his heavy equipment, Fire Chief Walter Evans and Kenneth Simmons who all pitched in last night to try to bring this under control.