Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government, Dr. Angela Brown Burke, has fired back at Local Government Minister, Desmond McKenzie, for taking to task suspected ‘arsonists’ over the latest fire at the Riverton City Dump in Kingston.

Dr. Angela Brown Burke says the government should have put systems in place to prevent the fires that are now burning another hole in the public purse.

This, she says, is in light of heat brought to bear on the previous PNP administration whenever there was a fire at the Riverton City Dump.

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Dr. Brown Burke, who’s also Member of Parliament for the neighbouring constituency of South West St Andrew expressed concern for residents and the environment. She says there’s need for a system to ensure there are technically competent managers at the disposal sites.

Dr Burke is also demanding that the government show that they care for the people.

In the meantime, the shadow minister is also urging the government to put out the allegation of arson until it can be proven.

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Meanwhile, Dr. Brown Burke’s colleague and MP for St Andrew Western, the PNP’s Anthony Hylton, is disagreeing with the Local Government Shadow Minister.

Mr Hylton is supporting the government’s position that the latest fire at the Riverton City Dump is seemingly the work of arsonists.

In a statement earlier today, Mr Hylton, in whose constituency the Riverton City disposal site is located, condemned what he described as what appears to be an act of arson at the dump.

The MP says if the investigations confirm that these fires are being lit deliberately then those responsible must be brought to face the full force of the law.

He admits the fires have not only affected communties near the dump but several communities across the Corporate Area and Portmore in St Catherine.

The MP says the fires have been affecting productivity along the industrial belt in St Andrew. And, he’s demanding stricter security measures at the disposal site to end the cyclical ignitions.

Mr Hylton says the government through the relevant authorities has agreed to implement mitigation measures going forward at the dump and to assist affected residents with respiratory issues.

He’s encouraging the government to keep their word and make good on the agreed terms.

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