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Delroy Boswell, President of the Citizens' Association
There is still opposition to the decision by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to issue a permit for beach sand mining in Duncans Bay, Trelawny.
Residents and fisher folk protested at the entrance to the community on Wednesday morning.
According to Delroy Boswell, President of the Citizens' Association, the residents are worried about the impact the continued sand mining will have on the area. They want the permit rescinded.
Among the reasons the residents have given for their disapproval of the mining plans are that their properties will be devalued, roads will be degraded and heavy equipment will pose a hazard to commuters. Mr. Boswell also cited beach erosion and the reduction of green spaces as other shortcomings the mining could have.
He added that since the last licence was granted in 2014, a cave in the community where artefacts used to be viewed by tourists, has since been closed.
In addition, Mr. Boswell pointed out that since the announcement that another permit has been granted, some residents have put up their properties for sale.
"We speak about tourism and we speak about the diaspora, and this is an international community - we have persons from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, United States, Canada, the Caribbean who live here. Persons are selling back their property and packing up and moving out of here because the government is not serious!" he complained.