EMA police getting the runaround

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2010 at 3:04 AM ECT

On January 28, 2009 I visited the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in order to file a complaint about a gentleman at Chandernagore, Chaguanas, who collects scrap iron such as old maxis, trucks and vehicle parts.

As a result, this individual dumps these unwanted objects on both sides of the public driveway, where neighbours are residing, thus affecting us tremendously.

I was told by the EMA's secretary that I needed to fill a complaint form which I did willingly.

Fortunately, about two months after the complaint, I received a letter from the authority indicating to me that my matter would be dealt with. An EMA police was assigned to the case as told to me by Mr Lerone Guy, officer in charge of environmental pollution at the EMA. The police officer's telephone number was given to me by Mr Guy, and as a result I immediately started liaising with the officer month after month after month. This officer indicated that he visited the gentleman's home on several occasions, but he was not at home to receive his "Letter Of Clean Up Order" by hand. After a year and a half the situation remains the same and is even getting worse as each day goes by. As a result, the area continues to look as though it is in the vicinity of the dump yard at the Beetham. To date, I have been promised that this unbearable situation will be dealt with. How long do I have to wait for a clean surroundings? There was a national clean-up day on June 27 but where is it being done? The EMA needs to make the environment its first priority. JR Chaguanas Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/letters/98293839.html