Tyres to Be Removed From Riverton

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, says tyres dumped at the Riverton disposal site will be removed as part of measures to minimise future fires.

“That will make it less likely for a fire of the magnitude we have had in the recent weeks,” he said.

Minister Arscott was addressing the opening of a workshop today (March 26), at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.

The fire, which started on March 11, in a section of the disposal site reserved for tyres, is believed to have been deliberately set by arsonists.

Minister Arscott said that post-extinguishing activities at the facility continues, with more than 90 per cent of the site covered.

He commended the key agencies responsible for extinguishing the blaze at the disposal site and noted that even though it took several days, it was undertaken in “record time,” given its magnitude.

“We were able to collaborate with private sector companies such as China Harbour, the bauxite companies, private truck and tractor owners and operators. The collective effort that we were able to mobilise (placed us in a better position) to bring this matter (under control),” he noted.

The post-extinguishing process involves physical search of the area to identify hotspots, and application of water and/or soil to these areas.

The two-day workshop, organised by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), is aimed at stimulating discussion relevant to building a culture of disaster preparedness and response in small states.

It is focused on small state vulnerabilities to multiple natural and man-caused hazards, mobilisation of resources, among other things.