The EPA in its efforts to ensure safe and healthy communities and address the numerous complaints received, has been providing compliance assistance for businesses to enable them to comply with good environmental management practices. However, in cases of continued disregard of its advice and recommendations the EPA has no choice but to enforce via the courts.
In recent months, the EPA resorted to the Courts to enforce against two polluters. Consequently, the Courts ordered each of these polluters to pay a fine of $300,000 for breach of EPA’s Prohibition Notice.
Specifically, the Vigilance Magistrates’ Court, on April 6, 2023, ordered Radesh Williams to pay a $300,000 fine for failing to comply with the EPA’s directions to abate noise and dust pollution. Also, the Whim Magistrates’ Court, on July 10, 2023, ordered Marlon Khadoo to pay a fine of$300,000.00 for breach of the EPA’s Prohibition Notice.
The EPA, had on numerous occasions, informed the polluters to conduct their operations in a manner that does not pose a serious threat to the environment or human health. When the EPA’s collaborative efforts including, meetings, visits and warning letters failed to motivate voluntary compliance, the offenders were each issued a Prohibition Notice under section 27 of the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05.
However, when these polluters also failed to comply with the EPA’s Prohibition Notice, the Agency moved to enforce via the Courts. The Courts in considering the circumstances, and glaring evidence of the breach of Prohibition Notice, fined the offenders and ordered them to comply with the EPA’s Notice.
The EPA was represented in Court by its Attorneys, Ms. Frances Carryl and Ms. Shareefah Parks.
