MORE than two weeks after a chemical spill at BORCO, concerned residents in the nearby Pinder’s Point community wanted to know whether investigations or inquiries into the incident had been made by the relevant environmental agencies in Grand Bahama.
“Who is looking out for the residents of Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard and surrounding areas?” Berthram Pinder, chairman of the Pinder’s Point/Lewis Yard Environmental Committee (PPLYEC) asked. “Is it the government Environmental Health Department? Is it the Grand Bahama Port Authority Environmental Department?”
Mr. Pinder and Shuffel Hepburn, with resident Lorna Knowles, stood near the site of the spill on Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing environmental pollution and health concerns of residents in the area.
Mr. Pinder claimed that around September 5 or 6, residents were awakened by a loud noise and saw workers the next day in hazmat suits and respirators cleaning up an area in the BORCO compound, and repairing part of their perimeter road.
He said the PPLYEC wants to know what spilled and whether it posed any danger to the environment and residents of Pinder’s Point and the surrounding areas.
To date, BORCO officials have not released any statement concerning the spill. And residents have questioned if a report of the incident was made by the company to the proper environmental authorities.
Mr. Hepburn claimed that there is a huge trench between the residents of Pinder’s Point and Lewis Yard filled with liquid waste.
“It is almost a mile long and in some parts as wide as 1,000 ft - you can see it from Google (Earth),” he claimed.
Mr. Hepburn said the government has done nothing in the past and are doing nothing today for the well-being of Bahamian citizens in the Pinder’s Points/Lewis Yard areas.
Mr. Pinder said the residents reject the findings of a World Health Organisation (WHO)/Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) report which found that there is no health risk to the residents living near the industrial plants.
He said residents have suffered for more than 35 years.
“We have experienced tank fires, explosions, frightening noises and odour emissions. The government and the Catholic School Board have relocated the schools in Hawksbill years ago because there were too many complaints of teachers and students getting sick. The residents also complained then too, but nothing was done for them.”
Mr. Pinder said last year the government relocated the Lewis Yard Primary School from the area to Hunters.
“If it is not good for the students and teachers to spend 30 hours a week there, then it is certainly not good for the residents to spend 168 hours a week there, for 365 days a year, every week of their lives,” Mr. Hepburn added.
Resident Lorna Knowles said: “I feel it is time for people in this area to be removed from this environment. The odours we experience on a daily basis is very horrible.”
Mrs. Knowles said her mother contracted cancer and went to Nassau for treatment.
“The doctors told us that they can tell where she is from because of the type of cancer she has,” she claimed.
She said that priority needs to be given to relocate residents. Mrs. Knowles has a site on Facebook called Grand Bahama Environment Association where they document what happens in the community on a daily basis.
The Tribune called the Department of Environmental Health Services and the Grand Bahama Port Authority, but was told that relevant officials were not in office at the time.
By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter
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