Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 03, 2013 News
An elderly Berbice resident suffering from asthma and bronchitis is peeved that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave permission for a joinery shop to operate adjacent to his residence despite numerous complaints from him and other residents about dust and noise pollution.
Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. It occurs when the trachea and the large and small bronchi within the lungs become inflamed because of infection or irritation from other causes. Bronchitis could occur when a person inhales irritating fumes or dust.
Deirajpat Misir, of Lot 9 Adelphi, Canje, Berbice, for about 25 years has been complaining to authorities about his plight. Most recently, he wrote to President Donald Ramotar and Opposition Leader David Granger.
And, the matter was raised twice in the Court. In 1992, the first injunction was granted for Mr. Bipat to halt his operations on Lot 10 and 11 Adelphi, Canje, Berbice. However, Mr. Bipat moved his operations to Lot 12 Adelphi respecting the injunction but still polluting the atmosphere.
Misir went back to the Court in 2003 in an attempt to halt the operation that had no permission to operate at that time. He noted that Mr. Bipat ignored the injunction and continued to operate his shop on a daily basis on Lots 10, 11 and 12.
According to the 69-year-old man, his first complaint was made in 1985 under the People’s National Congress regime. He was told in 1991 that the Government could not do anything about the noise nuisance.
The PNC Government assured Misir that the relevant Officer was instructed to take legal action to abate the smoke and dust nuisances.
Also in 1991, an investigation was carried out by A. K. Bulkaran, Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Region Six. According to Bulkaran in a letter, “I visited neighbours and they all gave similar complaints as were laid by Mr. Misir and sawdust and smoke can be seen in the kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, house walls, window blinds and bedroom curtains, etc.”
According to Misir, in 2005 the Neighbourhood Democratic Council wrote to him informing that Mr. P. Bipat did not have permission to operate a joinery shop at Lots 10 and 11 Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice.
He related that the matter was brought to former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s attention in 2011 when it was being investigated. To Misir’s dismay the investigations led to the Bipats being granted permission to operate their joinery shop.
Mr. Bipat passed away several years ago and his wife and son continue to manage the shop.
Misir said that Jagdeo had said that the EPA would be contacted on the matter.
Mr. Kheedmat Budhu of the Office of the President wrote to Misir informing him that the Executive Director of EPA promised via letter dated August 12, 2011 to continue to monitor the operation “to ensure compliance with the Prohibition Notice to abate noise and dust nuisances”.
He said that subsequent to a Central Housing and Planning Authority Officer’s visit to the site it was considered suitable for the proposed development. However, due to the nature of the development the Central Housing and Planning Authority envisaged that its operations may have environmental implications.
Despite, the earlier complaints the Neighbourhood Democratic Council recommended the operation of the joinery shop. The EPA subsequently granted a licence to Mrs. Bipat for the joinery shop.
The Executive Director of EPA, Dr. Indarjit Ramdas was contacted for a response on the matter. He promised to contact Kaieteur News with a comment but has not done so.
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