Opposition Leader Mark Golding has reiterated his call for the National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA, to be made an independent entity. 

This in the wake of reports of a controversial agreement between NEPA and Trade Winds Citrus Limited, that resulted in the withdrawal of criminal charges against Trade Winds in relation to an oil spill in the Rio Cobre. 

Mr. Golding said it’s a conflict of interest for NEPA to be under the portfolio of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

He said NEPA must be independent in order to carry out its mandate.