Court fines businesses for breaching EPA’s prohibition notice

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken strong actions to ensure safe and healthy communities.
Despite extensive efforts to assist businesses in adopting environmentally responsible practices, the EPA in a statement on Thursday said it had to resort to legal action when some businesses consistently ignored its advice.
It cited two recent cases involving individuals and entities failing to comply with the EPA’s voluntary compliance efforts.
This led to the agency issuing Prohibition Notices under the Environmental Protection Act. These notices followed various engagement attempts, such as meetings and warning letters, to encourage safer operational practices, the EPA said.
In response to persistent non-compliance, the EPA pursued legal action against the defaulting operators, resulting in significant fines and compliance orders.
Notably, the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court imposed a $300,000 fine on Radesh Williams for failing to mitigate noise and dust pollution, which posed environmental and health risks.
Similarly, Whim Magistrate’s Court ordered Marlon Khadoo to pay a $300,000 fine for breaching the EPA’s Prohibition Notice regarding noise and dust pollution.
The EPA was represented in court by its legal counsel, Frances Carryl and Shareefah Parks.
According to the agency, it is committed to environmental protection and community well-being.
“These recent court rulings underscore the EPA’s steadfast dedication to maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment. The substantial fines emphasise the strict enforcement of environmental laws, reinforcing the EPA’s mission to safeguard the environment and promote compliance with environmental regulations among businesses,” the EPA added.