Government Spends $128 Million to Extinguish Riverton Fires

Since 2011, Government has spent $128 million to extinguish fires at the Riverton Disposal site.

This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 29.

The Minister was responding to questions posed by Member of Parliament for West Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, in relation to the cost to put out fires at the Riverton site.

Mr. Arscott also informed that $75.89 million was spent to extinguish the last fire at the dump, in April.

The Minister said the cause of the last fire was not determined; however, arson was suspected.

Mr. Arscott noted that the Ministry is in discussion with the Ministry of Finance and Planning to provide funding for additional cover material for the dump, “so we will not have as much of the disposal site exposed as the last time.”

“Until we find an appropriate solution in terms of waste to energy or a new site, we need to just manage it more efficiently. So, we have a proposal to cover the entire site with top soil,” the Minister informed.