Amidst health concerns and complaints of dust emanating from the storage sites for aggregate and sand, Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) is working closely with importers to immediately prioritise dust suppression and reduce irritants on its lands adjacent to the Mighty Grynner Highway.
BPI scheduled a meeting yesterday, Monday, April 24, 2023, with importers of aggregate and sand and their agents, to confirm solutions and to review the aggregate import and export operations in general.
Coming out of that meeting, the following has been agreed as part of plans for ongoing cooperation:
- Two importers will install a three-sided dust mitigation mesh to reduce fugitive particles in the areas they use for stockpiling. One importer has already begun installation and has committed to completion by Wednesday, April 26.
- Coverage of stockpiles with tarpaulins has also been agreed.
- All importers have further committed to the removal of any remnants of materials as quickly as possible after import.
- Tyre wash stations will be installed by the end of this week and will be utilised by both incoming and outgoing traffic to minimise residue onto roadways.
- Traffic will further be re-routed to enter the Bulk Handling Facility from the southern side, reducing movement along the roadway that traverses closest to ADM Mills and the Barbados Coast Guard. BPI will, in addition, explore the installation of speed humps to slow passage of trucks.
With respect to operations, Chief Executive Officer, David Jean-Marie, said BPI will, effective immediately, introduce a deposit which must be paid by importers of aggregate and sand and which will be levied in the event that the importer fails to clean up after product discharge on the quay.
The Barbados Water Authority has agreed to the use of a non-potable water hydrant to assist in the washing of the quay and the roadways after discharge and loading operations.
The CEO said: “These reinforced measures are in keeping with our responsibility as landlord to ensure no nuisances are created among tenants and the public in general, as a result of activities being undertaken across our properties.”
With the planned construction of a new berth dedicated to handling aggregate also earmarked for that area, he noted “we have conducted the relevant Environmental Impact Assessments and we are defining the parameters within which the construction and eventual operation of that facility will be executed, to mitigate negative environmental outcomes”.
Given the general shortage of aggregates in the region and the depletion of local sand quarries, aggregate import and export activity has increased significantly, with the Facility now utilised at least twice weekly. BPI is insisting on improved information sharing among users of the facility with respect to the estimated arrival of vessels to better inform the scheduling of operations, the deployment of mitigation resources and cleaning plans. This will also assist in keeping tenants better informed of activity.
BPI recognises that the movement of trucks and trailers by persons who have been parking on the site without permission is also contributing to the dust problem.
BPI had previously installed stanchions, placed signage and written to specific truckers to restrict the parking of these trailers, all without success in deterring the practice.
As an interim solution, therefore, a topsoil cover will be spread in the main truck transiting area to reduce the dust caused from the trucks. BPI extends apologies to the Barbados Coast Guard and ADM Mills for the difficulties they would have endured.