NIC resumes Rio Cobre irrigation service

The National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC) says it has resumed the supply of irrigation services to sections of St Catherine, following the disruption in service due to an oil spill in the Rio Cobre River.

The NIC says the resumption follows the approval the St. Catherine Health Department.

Earlier this week, the NIC announced said it would temporarily shut down the Rio Cobre irrigation system as its assessment has identified potential risks to the quality of water in the Rio Cobre, which has prompted it to take proactive measures.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) on Friday, December 15, confirmed that there was an oil spill in the Bog Walk area, resulting from a malfunctioning boiler from the old Jamaica Beverage Plant, now owned and operated by Trade Winds Citrus Limited.

The agency has served an enforcement notice on Trade Winds Citrus to clean up and remediate the immediate environment surrounding the oil spill.

It further said enforcement against the company will include legal actions.