Frustrated residents call on Government to intervene

Residents of Malton Road, St Lucy have become tired of their homes being showered with dust from the neighbouring Arawak Cement Plant, and are calling on the Government to do whatever is possible to stop them from living a nightmare.

Brothers Birchmore and Ranley Griffith said they are tired of the dusty situation which for many years has prevented them from being able to open up their homes, or spend quality time on their patios where thick dust has settled.

They said while the problem has been ongoing, in recent months they have been unable to get the cement plant’s management to meet at the table to discuss and find an amicable solution to the matter.

They added that they are also aware of the fact that the thick dust which settles on their vehicles, interior and exterior of their homes, and even on their plants, could have a significant impact on their health.

Ranley explained that for many years and under different administrations, residents in the area have been appealing for the Environmental Protection Department to carry out a study of the surroundings to find out exactly what is happening in the atmosphere. They said that noise coming from the plant which disturbs their night rest is also a major concern.

Birchmore Griffith showing the dust from the Arawak Cement Plant which has settled on one of the vehicles.

The brothers lamented that they have to consistently spend thousands of dollars hiring a cleaning firm to give their homes an industrial cleaning at least twice annually, in addition to employing housekeepers to come in on a weekly basis to help keep the interior of their houses dust free, though they believe that is impossible since the dust still find its way in.

Birchmore explained that he has to change his solar panel at least twice per year because they become clogged with dust and can no longer work effectively.

From 1998, up until 2018, Arawak Cement Plant cleaned the residents’ homes at least twice per week.

However, Birchmore noted that in December 2018, through an email, Arawak ended the agreement.

But, the resident said that while the cleaning service came to an abrupt end, the same cannot be said about the dust.

“We get dust on a daily basis but we don’t complain every day. And then periodically, like every three months or so, we get a dust fall, like we did on Sunday. I got home around quarter to eight and my car was clean, but I noticed my tenant’s car was full of dust. Monday morning I came outside and mine was much a mess as hers was.

“So all the cars around here were full of dust, the homes got dust, the trees full of dust. But you get no response from Arawak; they just stop communicating with us since they sent us the letter saying that because of expenses they cannot continue to do the cleaning for us.

“So we have been experiencing the expense to clean Arawak’s pollution ever since then. We have called on the environmental division on many occasions and we have had no response. Recently the new [Member of Parliament Peter Philips] has joined in trying to help us but we have had no results, and Arawak refuses to meet with us,” Birchmore said.

Meanwhile, Ranley noted that while he was struggling to understand why steps were not made to remedy the situation when former Member of Parliament for St Lucy Denis Kellman was Minister of Environment; residents are unsure where to go, or who they should turn to for help.

They both agreed that the Government must look after its citizens and ensure that they are living in a healthy environment.

Thick dust settled in the patio of Birchmore Griffith’s property at Malton Road, St Lucy.

“Arawak Cement Plant is not responding to us. Therefore, the only thing left is for the Government to have a chat with Arawak Cement Plant. It is not fair. It is not our dust, it is Arawak Cement Plant’s dust and it is their responsibility to clean it.

“Our houses are closed up at all times, the windows are always closed, but you don’t see the dust until you really start to sweep.

“You walk through the house and the bottom of your feet is black from the dust from the Arawak Cement Plant. I mean, Arawak knows this because on several occasions, under past management, they came over and they saw exactly what was going on. So I don’t know why this management is not responding to us and it is totally unfair that we have to take care of this dust on a daily basis,” Ranley said.

“But the new management is aware of it too. But in 2018 there was a new manager that came in there with an attitude that they have deep pockets so he will have to fight them in court, and basically that is what they said. They came, they saw and they asked where this dust coming from and I said ‘there is only one place this dust could come from which is Arawak,” Birchmore added.

Barbados TODAY’s efforts to get a comment from the management of Arawak Cement Plant proved futile, however, an official at the plant did indicate that the human resource department was dealing with the issue.

However, when contacted, MP Phillips confirmed that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; he met with Arawak’s management to discuss the ongoing dust issue which is also affecting residents in other parts of the parish.

Phillips said he is awaiting word from the plant regarding a meeting between management and residents for further discussions to take place. The Member of Parliament said he will continue his efforts to bring a solution to the problem which he is aware is significantly affecting the lives of constituents.
anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb