Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) has taken action to reduce the problem-causing dust generated on its lands near the Mighty Grynner Highway.
In a statement on Tuesday, the BPI said it was working closely with importers to immediately prioritise dust suppression and reduce irritants.
It said the move was triggered by health concerns and complaints of dust emanating from the storage sites for aggregate and sand on the lands adjacent to the highway.
Chief Executive Officer David Jean-Marie said new dust mitigation measures will take effect immediately, following a meeting held with importers of aggregate and sand and their agents on Monday.
Coming out of that meeting, it was agreed that two importers will install a three-sided dust mitigation mesh to reduce airborne particles in the areas used for stockpiling.
Jean-Marie said one importer has already started the installation and committed to completing the work by Wednesday. The stockpiles are also to be covered with tarpaulins and importers will remove any remnants of materials as quickly as possible after importation.
“Tyre wash stations will be installed by the end of this week and will be utilised by both incoming and outgoing traffic to minimise residue onto roadways,” Jean-Marie said. “Traffic will further be re-routed to enter the Bulk Handling Facility from the southern side, reducing movement along the roadway that traverses closest to ADM Mills and the Barbados Coast Guard.”
The CEO said BPI will also look into installing speed humps to slow down trucks.
He also revealed that the port will immediately introduce a deposit which must be paid by importers of aggregate and sand, and which will be levied in the event that the importer fails to clean up after product discharge on the quay.
Jean-Marie stated that the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) has agreed to use a non-potable water hydrant to assist in washing the quay and the roadways after discharge and loading operations.
“These reinforced measures are in keeping with our responsibility as landlord to ensure no nuisances are created among tenants, and the public in general, as a result of activities being undertaken across our properties,” he explained.
“With the planned construction of a new berth dedicated to handling aggregate also earmarked for that area, we have conducted the relevant Environmental Impact Assessments and we are defining the parameters within which the construction and eventual operation of that facility will be executed to mitigate negative environmental outcomes.”
Meanwhile, Jean-Marie disclosed that due to the general shortage of aggregates in the region and the depletion of local sand quarries, aggregate import and export activity has increased significantly, with the facility now utilised at least twice weekly.
“BPI is insisting on improved information sharing among users of the facility, with respect to the estimated arrival of vessels, to better inform the scheduling of operations, the deployment of mitigation resources and cleaning plans. This will also assist in keeping tenants better informed of activity,” the port administrator asserted.
Port authorities said they also recognised that the movement of trucks and trailers by people who have been parking on the site without permission was also contributing to the dust problem.
“BPI had previously installed stanchions, placed signage and written to specific truckers to restrict the parking of these trailers, all without success in deterring the practice. As an interim solution, therefore, a topsoil cover will be spread in the main truck transiting area to reduce the dust caused from the trucks. BPI, meanwhile, has apologised to the Barbados Coast Guard and ADM Mills for the difficulties they would have endured as a result of the dust. (PR/EJ)
