Minister of the Environment and Water Resources Ganga Singh has condemned the setting of the fires at the Beetham landfill which were believed to have been deliberately set yesterday, describing the act as reckless and unacceptable. The event occurred even as workers of the T&T Solid Waste Management Company Ltd (SWMCOL) had earlier expressed their dissatisfaction over the slow pace of salary negotiations by protesting for a third day.
The protesting workers were joined by their colleagues from the Forres Park landfill and sanitation workers from Tobago. Singh said the setting of fires at the landfill only served to create a “very real health and environmental hazard.” He said officials from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) were immediately mobilised and were working round-the-clock to out the fires. He noted, however, that the best time to contain the fire was at night because it was easier to identify the sources.
He also echoed the sentiments of SWMCOL chairman Nalini Sooklal, who urged authorities to speed up negotiations as the situation was “volatile.” “I hope there is a quick resolution regarding the matter. The Local Government Ministry has a responsibility to maintain the dump and also maintaining good relations at the dump,” Singh added.
Sooklal, who said she believed the issue stemmed from wage negotiations, said once that was settled operations at the country’s landfills could operate smoothly once again. She said the Forres Park landfill, which resumed operations yesterday, and the Guanapo landfill will be used in the interim.
Saying that waste collection had also slowed down due to the protest action by the workers, Sooklal added:
“It really is about the wage negotiations. We are working with the NOC (National Operations Centre) and we are trying our best. The slowdown of the waste collection nationwide has had repercussions which were severly felt. “We are seeing many people lobbying at the CPO’s office and we are appealing to the arms handling the negotiations for any expedition to take place because of the volatility of the situation,” Sooklal added.
FLASHBACK
Last year, some 12 fires were maliciously set at the Beetham landfill, forcing SWMCOL to close it down as thick black smoke billowed into Port-of-Spain. At least 16 schools had closed while several businesses also remained shut as proprietors, employees and shoppers had complained the smoke was too much to bear.
Students were also forced to remain home for a couple days as it was reported that the odours had resulted in runny noses and eyes and sore throats. It was also reported that the toxicity level of the air was 13 times that which was considered safe.