PM Expresses Regret at Riverton Fire

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller has expressed empathy to all the persons, who were affected by the recent fire at the Riverton Landfill, Kingston.

“I sincerely empathise with all the persons, who were impacted in one way or another – whether through health challenges or the disruption of their daily activities,” she said.

“The last two weeks have been a difficult period for thousands of Jamaicans in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine, who were affected by the fire at the Riverton City disposal site,” she noted.

The Prime Minister was making her contribution to 2015/16 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 24) under the theme: ‘Moving Forward: Jobs, Growth and Development’.

She said that through the coordinated efforts of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and several public and private sector agencies and partners, “we have passed the worst.”

Mrs. Simpson Miller commended the members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade; Jamaica Constabulary Force; the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA); other first responders, and members of the private sector and the community for being on the frontline during the crisis.

She said that the Ministers of Local Government and Community Development and Health will provide further details on this issue.

The Prime Minister also expressed regret to the students, and their families, who have been affected by the postponement of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) examination, due to the effects of the fire.

She said the decision to put off the test to this week (March 26 and 27) was taken after consultation with the various stakeholders.

She encouraged the students, who will be taking the exams “to go out and do your very best.”