2 Environmental groups are expressing outrage over the decision of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)  to drop criminal charges in the Rio Cobre oil spill case.

The Jamaica Environment Trust and friends of Rio Cobre say the decision to withdraw criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited,  was announced in court yesterday.

According to the two groups , the decision sets a dangerous precedent that trivializes environmental violations, and prioritizes corporate interests over the health of natural resources, and justice for impacted Jamaicans.

They note that on December 15, last year , NEPA  confirmed that a malfunctioning boiler at the old Jamaica Beverage Plant, now owned and operated by Trade Winds Citrus Limited, was the source of an oil spill, which was first observed in the river on December 11. 

NEPA  responded with an enforcement notice and promised further legal action. 

They say on Wednesday,  several weeks after the case began, the presiding judge was informed that both parties had reached a settlement, and NEPA wanted to discontinue the case. 

The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed to the public, nor were they reviewed by the judge or the Clerk-of- court, because they have been deemed confidential by NEPA and Trade Winds.

The environmental groups say, the decision to withdraw the charges entirely, without explanation or transparency is incomprehensible. 

They want the government, to among other things release the terms of the purported settlement and NEPA’s reasons for discontinuing the case.