Citizens Group On Minister, MediWaste & More

December 13, 2022

The Concerned Citizens Group said they “would like to address the recent controversy that has been reported regarding Minister Tinee Furbert.”

A spokesperson said, “While we were not all initially aware of Minister Furbert’s chairmanship on the Environmental Authority prior to our press conference, we have had subsequent communications with Minister Furbert, and she has provided our group with a reasonable explanation for the confusing communication.

The Concerned Citizens Group press conference held on November 30th

“We are comfortable with Minister Furbert’s current actions and are grateful for her continued support in addressing the concerns connected with the MediWaste project. We are especially grateful to her for going the extra mile and requesting the Government perform an Environmental Impact Study to ensure that her constituents and all of Bermuda are protected from the potentially dangerous emissions that could result from the operation of this type of incinerator project.

“We also understand what happened in 2020, when all the facts had not yet been presented, that Minister Furbert did not feel at the time that the project would go anywhere given the hurdles that had to be addressed prior to its approval.

“What is confusing to us is that MediWaste was on a path to shore up a sole source contract with BHB to become Bermuda’s only ‘Nationally recognized biomedical waste facility.’ Why would something considered so major to our country be allowed to sidestep The Government’s involvement or the Government RFP process?

“Why would the Premier and the Ministers of Health and Home Affairs use the guise that the law does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment as an excuse to not perform one when the operation of such a facility could potential have long-term health impacts for the surrounding community? Wouldn’t they want to know? Or perhaps they already know and don’t want everyone to find out. Maybe we should be asking the question, “Why did BHB want to relocate the medical waste disposal operation away from the hospital? Was it a financial concern or a risk management concern?

“We have yet to have all these concerns addressed by anyone. We call on all these people and organizations and especially MediWaste and in particular Donte Hunt to sit down and talk to us and address our concerns.”

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Category: All, Environment, News

Comments (6)

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  1. Real Deal says:

    there should be a way to get no emissions if the burn is as small as they stay it will be. like feeding the emissions through a scrubber contain lifeforms that consume the emission like algae

  2. RandomIslander says:

    At the end of the day BHB has put out a statement about the matter, Their waste facility in the hospital is getting old and can not handle the amount they have to get rid of. The only real solution is to have a facility that caters to what they need done. I don’t see this group going into town an making a scene with Times Bay and Belco which actually have houses all around them. I would know I live next to Belco, I come out my door an there’s a smoke stack there.

  3. aceboy says:

    They better sort out the containers holding hospital waste as soon as possible given the health hazard it poses. We are talking severed limbs, puss filled bandages etc etc etc. It will be a national scandal when people start getting sick. A cholera outbreak isn’t going to be good “optics” will it, particularly after all we have heard about health surrounding covid. Can we hear from the Health Minister on this?

  4. Marine Life says:

    OK, the Public keeps speaking and protesting this. It has become a sour Debacle.
    Now, we know the Government owns a good deal of land. Some of this land is well separated from communities and even houses. Where is Gov’t on this issue with a solution? Ministry of Health? Ministry of Public Works? Come on, this is not Rocket science. We know a solution has to be achieved. Let’s collaborate! Let’s move on it. Stop closing your eyes to this. It has become a National issue.
    All your waste paint and Chemicals and Motor Oil are far removed from the Public, do the same with the Mediwaste.
    Even the Level-headed members of the Public have good answers where to put this, now, listen to them.

    • Sandgrownan says:

      Because the PLP-Civil Service axis is a vortex of incompetence and inactivity. What you are asking requires ownership, accountability and action.

      No chance.

      • St David's says:

        All the sheepy in the Civil Service vote for the PLP/BIU. Government from the top down wear green socks. How did Donte get the funds to back this project? We all know that the PLP has no money, so who in the OBA possibly are the silent partners with the $$$$$$? Why is the OBA so silent about this approval for one of their members?