EPA monitors Vilvoorden dust complaints ahead of court review

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that complaints regarding dust emissions from Vilvoorden Investment Inc on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are now before the court. The Magistrate has instructed that the company’s compliance with required mitigation measures be formally assessed and reported at the next hearing, scheduled for June 4.

As part of the process, Vilvoorden has been directed to submit documentation to the EPA detailing the steps it has taken to address dust emissions, as well as any proposed alternative measures. The EPA will review these submissions to determine whether they meet regulatory standards.

Following the review, the EPA will conduct a compliance inspection and may present additional evidence or amend its statements to the court if necessary. The Agency, in a press release to the media on Saturday said that it has already visited the Vilvoorden site several times and attempted to engage with residents regarding mitigation efforts, though it was able to reach only some members of the community.

The EPA emphasised its commitment to protecting public health and enforcing environmental standards, noting that all administrative and legal remedies will be pursued in line with the law. Residents affected by the dust are urged to engage with EPA officers to ensure their concerns are fully addressed.

Residents in the community had complained that the issue has been a long-standing matter and had accused the EPA of inaction.