NEPA Chairman takes the hit for Rio Cobre oil spill controversy - resigns!

Arising out of the controversial decision by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), to withdraw criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited for an oil spill in the Rio Cobre in St Catherine, Board Chairman, Mr. Weldon Maddan, has stepped down.

Maddan's resignation, comes on the heals of widespread public displeasure and discourse and the Government of Jamaica claiming it's dissatisfaction with the way how the issue was handled.

The decision to withdraw criminal charges was announced in the St Catherine Parish Court on Wednesday when an attorney from NEPA informed the presiding judge that the regulator, the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), had reached a settlement with the company.

Environmental groups, the Jamaica Environment Trust and Friends of Rio Cobre, responded to the development saying "the decision sets a dangerous precedent that trivialises environmental violations and prioritises corporate interests over the health of natural resources and justice for impacted Jamaicans."

They say the decision to withdraw the charges entirely, without explanation or transparency is incomprehensible.

In a media release shadow spokesperson for Environment and Ecological Heritage, Sophia Frazer Binns, said the Opposition was concerned about the decision to discontinue the case.

“We are deeply concerned that the basis of the decision remains unknown, especially to the residents of the Bog Walk community who were directly affected by the pollution of the river. We also wish to ascertain whether the citizens whose rights were directly affected were consulted before the agreement with the company was made by NRCA/NEPA," she said.

Frazer Binns argued that transparency and good governance demand that the agreement be shared with the public, and particularly with the affected residents.

According to a statement from Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Matthew Samuda: "I have instructed NEPA to waive its rights under this NDA and NEPA has formally written to effect this waiver. As a result, the mediated agreement, along with the NDA and the chronology of events will be made public on NEPA’s website today, November 29, 2024.

Samuda added: "The Government of Jamaica is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the Board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness. Consequently, following a conversation this morning, Board Chairman, Mr. Weldon Maddan, offered his resignation. "Mr. Maddan's resignation has been accepted. We thank Mr. Maddan for his service and reaffirm the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the Rio Cobre and all other critical natural resources".