NEPA/NRCA Board Chair resigns after controversial dropping of criminal charges against Trade Winds due to Rio Cobre oil spill

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

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More calls for full disclosure in Rio Cobre oil spill case

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More

Hanover police launch investigation into what appears to be a case of bullying, involving high school students

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More

St. Andrew South Police say male victim in Seaview Garden’s double murder known to cops

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More

NIA calls on Gov’t to promptly publish code of conduct for parliamentarians and provide  timeline for implementation 

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More

NWA says ongoing persistent rainfall presents significant challenges to road maintenance and repair efforts

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More

PM Holness announces reduction of GCT on electricity, starting next year

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More

Scores of JLP supporters gather in Kingston for the party’s 81st annual conference

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More

JLP General Secretary, Dr. Horace Chang says the party does not intend to carry any political weaknesses into 2025

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More

Dr. Brown Burke mobilises support for fire victims

Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Weldon Madann has resigned.

NEPA carries out the technical and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, including the NRCA.

Mr. Maddan’s resignation follows NEPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Trade Winds Citrus Limited in a recent Rio Cobre oil spill case.

It was reported 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 – was the source of an oil spill first observed in the river on December 11.

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

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

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

The confidential nature of the settlement raised transparency and accountability concerns among environmental lobby groups and the Opposition People’s National Party.

Reacting to Mr. Madann’s resignation, Environment Minster Matthew Samuda says the Government is not satisfied that the issue was handled at the board leadership level with the required standards of transparency and openness.

Read More