RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
The Director of a waste disposal company in Barrackpore has dismissed allegations that it has been disposing chemicals in the South Oropouche River, causing residents to fall ill.
In an interview with Guardian Media, the director said chemical waste is not stored at its compound.
"The Drums and IBCs seen are empty and awaiting further processing at another facility," the director said.
Asked whether it had investigated improper disposal of petrochemical waste, the director said:
"Management has been informed of the complaint and has investigated. There was maintenance work at the facility last week which entailed driveway repairs. Due to the heavy rainfall, we used a vacuum truck to remove excess water off the roadway to facilitate the concrete resurfacing and the wastewater that was sucked up was discharged into our concrete drain which is connected to a sump."
He added: "It is important to note our facility’s drains are not connected to the river at the back of the property, nor are they directly connected to the front drain but to a sump."
He said the company had a formal, documented procedure on proper waste disposal that has been approved by the relevant authorities and is strictly adhered to.
"Like in any organization, if an employee does not abide by the rules and regulations of the organization there are repercussions. We have procedures in place to ensure that waste is properly received and treated," he added.
He noted that the EMA has not contacted them but added that this was not the first time that his company has been unfairly blamed.
"We had a situation in the distant past with a similar allegation being levied against us with the same claim being made by residents about a high chemical smell and a die-off of fish in the river. After the investigation by the authorities, it was determined that was caused by a duck farm higher up the river," he said.
He noted that the river behind his compound was altered without the permission of the relevant authorities.
"This contributes significantly to the flooding in the area and when it floods our compound is adversely affected," he added.
