The controversial non-disclosure agreement, in the recent Rio Cobre oil spill case against Trade Winds Citrus Limited, has raised questions over the number of similar agreements that have gone unnoticed by the government.
The case became the centre of public discourse last week after it was revealed that the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) withdrew criminal charges against Trade Winds.
It was reported that the two parties had reached a settlement which was not disclosed to the public or reviewed by the presiding judge.
Following public outrage, Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) Weldon Maddan resigned.
The government, which said it disagreed with the use of the non-disclosure agreement, instructed NEPA to waive its rights and make it public.
The agreement is now on NEPA’s website.
Reacting to the recent developments, JET’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie said the unwarranted use of the non-disclosure agreement would have gone unnoticed if environmental lobby groups had not brought the matter to the fore.
She said the government’s response to the Trade Winds matter was reactionary.
However, she noted that the resignation of Board Chairman Maddan symbolizes a commitment to transparency and accountability in the governance of the environment.
Noting that the settlement agreement between NEPA and Trade Winds is an inadequate response to the environmental violation, the JET executive said a similar situation could recur if higher standards are not demanded.
