Jamaica Waste Management Agency Being Sued For Failing To Manage Dump Site

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC— The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), is being sued by four people who say the agency’s failure to effectively manage the Riverton City disposal site, resulted in injury to their health. 

Louie Johnson, Joya Hylton, Lamoy Malabre and Ernest Sandcroft are bringing the lawsuit, following a fire at the Riverton site in February 2012, which lasted six days. Lamony who is 9 years old is suing through his mother, Phyllipa Blake. All four who are relying on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms say emissions and toxic fumes from the fire damaged their health.

The Charter guarantees the right to enjoy a healthy and productive environment free from the threat of  injury, or damage from environmental abuse.

They allege that emissions and toxic fumes from the fire at the city dump February 2012 damaged their health as the NSWMA was not managing the site properly.

They are asking the court to declare that the agency breached its legal duty to manage the dump and safeguard public health, and therefore breached their constitutional rights.

According to the court documents, there have been at least 10 reported fires at the Riverton site in the last 12 years.