Mid-June expected to bring resolutions at troubled landfills, Provo dump fire still burning

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, Wednesday June 6, 2018 – The Ministry of Health stopped short of saying directly that a vexing fire and the smoke it is creating is becoming increasingly intolerable and likely a health risk for the people of Wheeland, Providenciales.  But it does promise residents that solutions are imminent and expected to materialise this month.  

For nearly two months the Providenciales landfill managers, Turks and Caicos Environmental Management, TCEM has been battling a fire which they appear unable to extinguish.  In fact, from residents vantage points, it appears the fire is spreading.  

On a day like today, when clouds creating a canopy which prevents escape for the nauseating smoke, it is especially obvious that no one has addressed the health problems this ongoing inferno is causing and no one seems capable of putting out the fire which started on April 11, 2018.

Recently, Minister of Health and Human Service, Edwin Astwood posted to social media that his ministry is, “…concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health.  One of the functions of EHD is solid waste management which includes the solid waste disposal sites throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

In Providenciales, the concern is the fire and the smoke and potentially toxic fumes it has been creating for nearly eight weeks.

The Minister, in his statement never uses the word ‘fire’ and offers no concrete information about when residents of the area will get relief from the persistent problem.  

What is said is that, “The Department is currently reviewing alternative and corrective measures/actions to bring a sustainable solution to the problem of garbage pile-up. We are working with the Attorney General Chambers and Ministry of Health, agriculture, Sports and Human Services and by extension the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to implement the corrective measures actions by mid to end of June.

Mid-June is nine days away.