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Urgent Call for Heavy Duty Equipment to Put Out Riverton Landfill Fire

By: , March 13, 2015

The Key Point:

Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, is appealing to owners of heavy equipment to make them available in the effort to contain the fire at the Riverton landfill.
Urgent Call for Heavy Duty Equipment to Put Out Riverton Landfill Fire
Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, is appealing to owners of heavy equipment to make them available in the effort to contain the fire at the Riverton landfill. (FILE)

The Facts

  • The State Minister made the call following a meeting on March 12, at the Haining Road headquarters of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
  • Several entities owning heavy duty equipment have already come forward, including China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

The Full Story

Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, is appealing to owners of heavy equipment to make them available in the effort to contain the fire at the Riverton landfill.

The State Minister made the call following a meeting on March 12, at the Haining Road headquarters of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

He emphasised that it is important that all the help possible is harnessed to put out the fire speedily. Several entities owning heavy duty equipment have already come forward, including China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

“We really want to extinguish the fire at the landfill. Anyone with equipment, D9 or D10, please contact us at 906-9674-5 or 754-9077-8. Someone will respond to you and we will be in touch with you as soon as you hang up,” he said.

The State Minister said he is aware of public concern about the effects of the fire at the landfill, including air quality and the impact the smoke is having on persons with respiratory illnesses.

The air quality has deteriorated and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is constantly monitoring the situation. “What we’re trying to do right now is extinguish the fire,” the State Minister noted.

Mr. Fagan said once the heavy duty machines are available, the effort to put out the fire can be ramped up. “We are pretty much comfortable with cover material and we’re getting material from a quarry close by,” he said.

He commended all the persons on the ground who have been involved in the effort to contain the fire, and urged persons with respiratory problems who are affected by the smoke, to get medical assistance and advice early to avoid any complications.

Last Updated: March 23, 2015

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