Leader of the Opposition Honourable Julian Fraser has lamented the prevailing situation in his constituency, the Third District, as it relates to activities on the site of the Pockwood Pond Incinerator.
While fielding questions during a community meeting in the First District Fraser did not mince words to share his criticism of the site.
“That incinerator has been out of operation for the last several months, years, who knows? Every time you ask a question you get a different answer regarding exactly what is going on there… You said the air is best when there’s no activities at the incinerator, naturally, because it’s a nuisance” he said.
As it stands, Fraser believes that the people need to be more critical of prevailing waste management issues which could have health implications.
“These are things that need to be talked about… The governments can do better. No government should be re-elected to office with a sewerage treatment plant at bird point that has been out of commission since the hurricanes. I mean, give me a break. An incinerator that’s not functional. These are the things that you should talk about. People contract all kinds of diseases because of these things”, he said.
“We have people in this territory who prefer to speak about these things that are juicy and decide to leave these things that are important out”, Fraser added.
Fraser explained that his frustrations with the site are in no way targeted at the persons employed there, as they themselves are simply doing their jobs and cannot be blamed for the state of the facility.
“Any statement I make regarding the incinerator is in no way an indictment of the people that work at the incinerator. Those people are being placed in a very difficult situation where their hands are tied behind their backs and they’re asked to execute. They have no choice but to do what they can do… and I sympathise with them”, he said.
Fraser stressed that members of the public should hold public officials accountable to their promises to fix certain issues and said that in the event that these promises are not realised, those at fault ought not to be welcomed to remain in office.