The Industrial Estate Authority tightens measures against illegal dumping |10 May 2021

Mr Collie speaking during the interview (Photo: Jude Morel)

Illegal dumping involves the unauthorised disposal of numerous types of waste and its effects include health, environmental, and economic consequences.

In its effort to make the industrial estates more conducive and business friendly, the new management of the Industrial Estates Authority (IEA) has sent a final reminder to all its lessees that it is against the law and their lease conditions to do any illegal dumping within the perimeter of their premises and the estates as a whole.

The IEA was established in 2014, through the enactment of the Industrial Estates Authority Act, 2013 (Amended in 2017).

It is the body responsible for the development, management and allocation of industrial land and micro enterprise centres (workshops).

To try and remedy the issue of illegal dumping, the IEA is asking all lessees to remove all objects, including pallets, steels, old metals, derelict vehicles among others and to dispose of it in designated dumping areas such as the land fill.

They have until Monday May 31 to get rid of the eyesores, while failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe will result in the IEA initiating legal actions against them.

Chief executive of the authority Roy Collie explained that removal of the illegal waste will ensure the free flow of traffic and pedestrians, since designated parking spaces should not be used for such purpose.

Mr Collie explained that the IEA is working with different partners, including the police, with the latter having an increased presence at the estates to ensure adherence to parking and other traffic regulations.

He however noted that the since the IEA does not have necessary legal power, they are linking closely with the Public Health Authority to take necessary actions.

He explained that this can be done under the Public Health Act (Cap. 189) part five 16 (c) any premises or part thereof so overcrowded or so verminous or so dirty as to be injurious or dangerous to health, while part (g) any deposit of material in or on any building or street which causes damp in any building so as to be injurious or dangerous to health.

As for part 18 (1) of the Act, it states that where as result of inspection the medical officer of health believes that a nuisance exists the medical officer of health shall cause to be served upon the author of the nuisance or, if the author cannot be found, upon the occupier or owner of the land or premises on which the nuisance arises a notice setting out short particulars of the nature of the nuisance, referring to the relevant paragraph of section 16, requiring the addressee of the notice to abate the nuisance, setting out short particulars of the measures which in opinion of the medical officer of health are the most practicable and expeditious means of abating the nuisance, having regard to the means of the addressee is required to comply with the notice.

Mr Collie further noted that they can also rely on the Environment Protection Act to deal with non-compliance regarding illegal dumping.

He added that IEA is also encouraging all businesses within the industrial estates to keep their premises and surroundings clean and would welcome initiatives by the business owners to take responsibility to maintain the perimeter of their premises.

“The tidier and more welcoming their business is, the more clients will come to them,” concluded Mr Collie.

The accompanying photos show some of the “eyesores” Mr Collie was referring to.

Roland Duval