Press Releases
Kingston, Jamaica. January 22, 2024: The Opposition is expressing concerns over the recent interdiction of an officer employed to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) who uncovered the breaches related to the property at 11 Charlemont Drive.
Shadow Minister on Environment and Ecological Heritage, Senator Sophia Frazer Binns, says the reported interdiction of the officer without more, raises questions about potential repercussions for whistleblowers or those seeking to expose violations of our laws. She says this interdiction on the heels of the ruling by the DPP leads the public to question the integrity of our environmental regulatory body.
Without providing details of the circumstances around the interdiction of the officer, NEPA is confirming the view of many Jamaicans that “the big man” is treated differently from “the little man”. This also cements the long held perception that there are two Jamaicas, one for the rich and connected and another for the poor.
Senator Frazer Binns, while accepting that all the details cannot be shared at this time, believes that in light of the national attention this matter has received, NEPA must provide sufficient information to the public on the reason or reasons for Mr Henry’s interdiction.
The Shadow Minister asserted, “We need to understand the reasons behind the interdiction and ensure that it is not an attempt to undermine the commitment to environmental protection”. Further, Senator Frazer Binns added, “The public still has not been informed of the outcome of the meeting of the NRCA Board held last week”.
The Opposition Senator is encouraging NEPA and the relevant authorities to prioritise the resolution of this matter with transparency. “It is imperative that we maintain trust in our environmental regulatory agencies and their ability to address violations promptly and impartially.”, she said.
