Greene

There is growing controversy about whether Errol Greene has been fired from his job as executive director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

Yesterday, Harry Douglas, the minister of state in the Ministry of Local Government and Environment, said the NSWMA had severed ties with Mr. Greene following a board meeting Tuesday night.

Mr. Douglas stated on radio yesterday that the board had decided not to reinstate Mr. Greene.

But, when contacted yesterday, Mr. Greene said: "I've not been so advised by the board ... "

When pressed as to whether he was fired, Mr. Greene said: "I cannot say because I've not been advised by the board." He added that his attorneys had advised him not to speak on the matter.

No comment

Chairman of the NSWMA board, Ethlyn Norton-Coke, refused to offer a comment, stating that she would not answer any questions from The Gleaner because of an article published on the social pages of the newspaper a few weeks ago.

The NSWMA's verdict came in response to an ultimatum from attorneys representing Mr. Greene,who had issued a seven-day ultimatum on the ministry and the board for a decision to be made on his reinstatement.

Mr. Greene was sent on leave in September last year following alleged irregularities at the agency.

The NSWMA board also called in the police last year to probe the spending of about $20 million in less than a year.

Auditors were also called in to examine the agency's books, which reportedly contained information on activities from Kingston to Montego Bay where it is alleged most of the impropriety took place. The matter is also being investigated by the Fraud Squad.

On Tuesday, Mrs. Norton-Coke said she had received a copy of the report on the investigation last Friday. She said the findings were inconclusive and a copy was sent to the Solicitor General for his comments.

The Gleaner reported Tuesday that the Local Government Ministry and the board were at odds over Mr. Greene's reinstatement.