By Nakinskie Robinson
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) says it has submitted the relevant documents to its parent ministry, pertaining to the controversial confidential agreement signed with Trade Winds Citrus Limited.
Chief Executive Officer Leonard Francis told Radio Jamaica News that the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, for which Prime Minister Andrew Holness has portfolio responsibility, is conducting a review of documents it had requested from NEPA.
On Thursday, officials at the environmental agency were locked in discussions surrounding the agreement and how to publicly address the matter. It was made public during proceedings at the St. Catherine Parish Court on Wednesday that NEPA would no longer pursue criminal charges against Trade Winds.
NEPA had taken the company to court for an oil spill in the Rio Cobre in St. Catherine in December 2023.
The secret deal, which was entered into without the court's and the Ministry's knowledge, has since sparked outrage among environmental groups.
Mr. Francis told Radio Jamaica News that following the ongoing review, NEPA and the ministry are to meet and finalise how the matter will be addressed publicly.
It is unclear how long the review is expected to last.
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