Jamaica opposition says Duncan’s Beach mining is ‘abuse of powers’

The opposition People’s National Party in Jamaica is calling for an immediate revocation of the mining license given to Duncan's Bay Development Company (DBDC) to remove sand from Duncan's Beach in Trelawny.

The party, in a release, said that the decision to vary the resolution of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and allow mining of the Duncan's Beach is an abuse of political and ministerial powers.

They argued that although the NRCA Act allows an applicant who has been denied permission to apply to the minster for consideration, the minister's first responsibility is to the wellbeing of the people and the environmental protection of our nation.

According to People's National Party senator Sophia Frazer Binns, the protection of the environment was not given priority in the decision by government to allow sand mining at the Trelawny beach.

“We are not convinced that due regard to protect the people and the environment was taken in this process,” Frazer Binns said.

The PNP questioned whether the prime minister, in his capacity as the minster with responsibility for the environment, heard DBDC's appeal himself – or whether this function delegated

“The cavalier way in which the prime minister treated this matter, has compelled the Opposition to once again call for a separation of the Planning and Environment ministries so as to avoid complicity in harming the environment,” Frazer Binns said.

“We also strongly recommend that the environment portfolio be taken out of the office of the Prime Minster, to ensure transparency, objectivity and the removal of any possible conflict of interest,” Frazer Binns said.