Dear Editor,

The Friends of Rio Cobre have learnt that approximately 100 fishers are to be compensated this week following the toxic discharge from Windalco’s effluent holding pond in the Rio Cobre in July 2022.

The discharge resulted in a major fish kill, disrupting water supply of thousands of residents and the livelihoods of hundreds of farmers and fishers. Our investigations showed that over 120 fishers were affected and have been unable to earn from their main source of income.

In a statement issued on November 9, 2022, Senator Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, stated that $16 million would be paid as compensation to approximately 70 fishers for a period of ten days.

We are not sure how this list has been compiled. As far as we know, community leadership or the legal representatives of fisherfolk have not been contacted. Furthermore, what happens to the other fishers who were affected but not compensated? We are concerned about those that have been excluded and that it is going to create contention in the community.

The Friends of Rio Cobre are urgently requesting the Government to reconcile the list and meet with them and their legal representatives so that they can understand what is proposed.

Kestonard Gordon

c/o Friends of Rio Cobre