In keeping with the government’s commitment to be transparent to the Bahamian people, it brings before you a Report that the former administration received but did not release. The public will recall that there was a major fire at the New Providence Landfill which started on 5th March, 2017 and lasted for approximately three (3) weeks. This fire was a major disruption in the lives of those who live and work in the area around the landfill, causing the evacuation of residents of Jubilee and Victoria Gardens, and the closure of several schools and businesses.

On 8th March, 2017, the Ministry of the Environment and Housing received an offer of assistance from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). A team of experts traveled to New Providence to assist with investigating the potential levels of exposure to the impacted residents, schools and businesses. A team of experts visited the landfill during the period 4th to 7th April, 2017. A preliminary report was received at the Ministry on 28th April, 2017.

The Government has made a decision to release the preliminary PAHO report so that the Bahamian people are aware of the environmental and health implications from the recent landfill fire.

In the short-term we will:

• develop a communication program in consultation with the community, and conduct awareness meetings with affected individuals and communities to understand the environmental and health implications of exposure from the landfill so that they can comply with the required standardized health checks.

• resume training by the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) of workers at the landfill and include refresher courses. Staff at the Landfill were previously trained in handling hazardous waste and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) under the Solid Waste Management Project;
• enhance security at the Landfill.

• provide the resources necessary to have pay loaders and protective equipment for first responders to fight fires that may occur in the future and to reduce the likelihood of future fires; and

• study the model of the landfill in Grand Bahama and other landfills to devise a feasible plan for the New Providence Landfill. Once this plan has been agreed, a new Request for Proposal for the Management of the landfill will be issued.

Among the medium term goals to be achieved are the following: • emergency plans in consultation with the communities to respond to events; and • a national communication campaign to discourage the use of private wells with the assistance of the Water and Sewerage Corporation.

With regard to the long-term goals, the Government will do the following: - • Remediate the septage and sludge handling facility that is located next to the landfill to ensure proper functioning;

• Install ambient air monitoring to better assess the impact on the environment and human health;

• Develop policies and regulations for non-recyclable, non-decomposable and hazardous waste; and

• Pursue the deconstruction and proper engineering of the entire landfill.

Residents of the neighboring communities, including a representative sample of school-aged children, will receive regularly scheduled medical checkups. The health team will work with the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) to ensure water safety and no contamination of the water source.

The monitoring team of the Department of Public Health responded in the aftermath of the fire to the immediate concerns at the Flamingo Gardens and South Beach Clinics. These clinics will remain the primary facilities for the management of health issues related to the landfill fire.

The main health concern was the result of smoke inhalation with respiratory difficulties that resolved in a short period of time. All other medical conditions including chronic non-communicable diseases, non-traumatic injuries were treated appropriately at the clinic.

No one who was referred required hospitalization. We wish to inform the public that the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of the Environment and Housing and other government agencies to monitor the effects of the landfill on the health of our communities.

The Ministry of Health and the Department of Public Health will continue to monitor the health situation in the neighboring communities for any possible effects related to the Landfill. We have already noted respiratory difficulties and have screened individuals for skin reactions and the possible ill effects of water borne illnesses.

The Government will continue to work with all affected persons to ensure that all efforts are made to address the landfill matter and no stone will be left unturned to mitigate the ongoing challenges.