Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
THE ENTIRE board of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) resigned yesterday following weeks of controversy surrounding allegations of corruption and cronyism at the state agency.
A release issued last night by the Ministry said: "The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Board has resigned en bloc following an emergency meeting called by the Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Portia Simpson Miller at the Ministry's offices today (Thursday)."
Last month allegations of corruption at the agency came to the public's attention, sparking widespread criticism of the Alston Stewart-led management team. This came following concerns raised by Auditor-General Adrian Strachan that, for the past two years, the NSWMA has failed to turn over financial statements to his department.
FINDINGS NOT IN PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE
Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Portia Simpson Miller, immediately solicited the services of the contractor-general, the auditor-general, and also the internal audit department of the Ministry to look into the allegations. Their findings have not yet been made public.
During a press briefing called by the agency's board, a livid Mr. Stewart went on a rant in an attempt to protect the integrity of the NSWMA.
He told his detractors to come forward with evidence of corruption or "shut their damn mouth".
Last night, Mr. Stewart denied having knowledge of the emergency meeting called by Mrs. Simpson Miller.
"While there has been no evidence of corruption, all members of the Board, including the executive chairman, Alston Stewart have agreed to the Minister's decision to restructure the Board and tendered their resignation to facilitate the process," the release stated.
The release further stated that an interim management team headed by Loraine Robinson, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, would assume responsibility for the Authority until a new board is appointed.
Efforts to get a comment from Minister Simpson Miller last night were unsuccessful. A ministry spokesperson, Ann Marie Mittoo, said the Minister was on an assignment in Trelawny.
