KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has objected to developers of the Alcar Asphalt Plant in Bull Bay St Andrew carrying out public consultations and technical studies after the facility has been built.

JET in a statement this afternoon, said the move to have such consultations after the facility began operating in the community in October last year makes a mockery of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) development approval process.

The environment watchdog agency noted that the situation first came to light after it received a complaint in December from the Palm Beach Estate Citizens Association (PBECA) in the community.

The residents’ complaint to JET outlined the numerous issues associated with the operations of the asphalt plant including severe impact on the respiratory health of those living nearby.

“Attempts in December 2018 and January 2019 by both the PBECA and JET to reach out to the NEPA objecting to the plant, received no response.

On January 29, 2019 JET discovered the notification of a public meeting in Bull Bay regarding the Alcar Asphalt Plant scheduled for February 12 posted on the NEPA website,” the agency said in its statement.

JET, added that a link to the design brief of the plant was also posted on the NEPA website and referred to as a “non-EIA”.

JET argued that technical reports, environmental impact assessments and public consultations are tools designed to guide NEPA’s decision-making on proposed developments, adding that it also objects to NEPA’s regularisation of illegal construction projects.