Jason Cross, Gleaner Writer

The government is to provide additional security at the Riverton landfill in St Andrew and all other disposal facilities islandwide to combat arsonists.

Sections of Riverton have been on fire since yesterday with Dennis Chung, the Chairman of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the state agency with responsibility for landfills, indicating that it is suspected that the blaze was set deliberately.

READ: Arson! - NSWMA says Riverton landfill was set on fire twice in 24 hours 

The fire at the Riverton follows a similar one at the disposal site in Retirement, St James more than a week ago.

That incident was also suspected to be the work of arsonists.

Speaking at a press conference today at the Office of the Prime Minister on Hope Road, St Andrew, Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie vowed that the authority will not yield to pressure from persons wreaking havoc on Riverton and other landfills for financial gains.

“We are going to be providing funding for all landfills across the country to have adequate security starting immediately. It is clear that there are persons in the past who have benefitted from fires at the landfill. We do not intend to bow to any form of pressure from any sector of the society and will not facilitate any form of employment to those persons.

“We are aware of some of those persons who would benefit when there is a fire on the landfill. We are not prepared to call on any of those individuals to assist in any operations as it relates to the fires.,” McKenzie said.

The local government minister said effort is being made to locate funds to undertake the additional security arrangements. 

“The funds to fight the fire are not readily available. We have to take those resources from elsewhere in order to assist with putting out these fires. We are confident that there is an attempt to sabotage our efforts.”

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Fire Brigade said that they are hoping to bring the fire, which poses a smoke nuisance, under control within a few days.

Health warning 

Earlier today, the Ministry of Health advised the public to take steps to protect themselves from potentially adverse health effects of the smoke from the fire at the Riverton landfill.

Persons are asked to avoid exposure to the smoke by doing the following:

* Minimise all outdoor activities and persons living in and around the vicinity of the Riverton City Dump should close windows and doors to prevent excessive exposure.

* Persons who suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses should cover mouth and nose with a clean damp rag to protect themselves from inhalation of smoke and dust particles.

* Keep children indoors as much as possible; look out for any difficulty in breathing or any discomfort that your child may experience.

* Persons with illnesses such as heart or lung conditions and other chronic diseases should continue to take medications as prescribed.

* Anyone who is experiencing difficulty breathing, wheezing or tightness in the chest should seek urgent medical assistance.

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