By Francine Black, Staff ReporterTHE NATIONAL Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) advised the public yesterday that scheduled collection services have been disrupted and will continue to be affected as a result of a fire and continued protests at the Riverton disposal site.
At a press conference at the NSWMA's Half-Way Tree Road office, Alston Stewart, executive chairman of the Authority, said the protests were hampering the work of the NSWMA.
"Access to the site has been hampered by the Riverton Mea-dows Trucking and Disposal Co-operative Society. In addition, on Wednesday, a section of the landfill was set ablaze by unknown persons, also severely affecting operations at the site," Mr. Stewart said.
When The Gleaner visited the site, the protesters from the Co-operative were adamant that no trucks would be allowed to enter the landfill as they wanted a meeting with the Prime Minister or Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Local Government.
In addition, they claimed the fire started after a tractor scooped up the smouldering remnants of a fire at the front of the site and dumped it into the landfill, setting it ablaze.
However Mr. Stewart claims otherwise, noting that where the fire was located, no tipping was being done and the fire at the front must have been set by someone.
More than 50 per cent of the collection units belonging to the NSWMA, both private and public, have experienced difficulties in dumping waste at the site because of the disruptive activity.
Yesterday, sections of the Corporate Area were covered by a thick blanket of smoke, caused by the fire which is burning at the landfill.
Mr. Stewart said the Authority will not be prevented from doing its work because of 'badmanism or unlawful behaviour'.
Members of the Riverton Meadows Trucking and Disposal Co-operative Society have been protesting since Tuesday about the NSWMA's decision to de-crease the rates paid to drivers for daily loads. They are also upset about the Authority's new policy requiring that drivers work with private contractors.
SERVICES TERMINATED
On Wednesday, the protesters had agreed to return to work, following discussions with Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie. However, they later received letters from the NSWMA terminating their services, sparking further protests yesterday.
In the meantime, the police have apprehended four persons in connection with the removal of oil from equipment belonging to the NSWMA which was reportedly used to set the fire at the landfill.
The police have also agreed to establish a police post at the landfill, which is to be done soon. Mr. Stewart also disclosed that further investigations have revealed that criminal elements from the 'One Order' gang were organising a gang to terrorise and capitalise on the disruption now occurring at the site.
"Sources have revealed that there is also collusion between some employees on the Riverton Disposal Site and these persons, resulting in our units being hijacked and our staff robbed regularly."
Due to the fire and threats, Mr. Stewart notes that the Authority has been unable to get its workers and required personnel inside the landfill to assess and extinguish the fire.
He maintains, however, that the Authority's work will not be undermined by the disruptive behaviour.
