1 Comment
Warrenpoint campaign group Rotten to the Point are demanding the resignation of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Board citing a lack of confidence and what they call "multiple failures in their management of Warrenpoint Port"
A spokesperson for the group said "The establishment of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Community Forum was intended to address issues such as odorous emissions, chemical use, and noise disruptions at the port. However, the forum has failed to engage with the public or provide tangible outcomes, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction. Public meetings were organised to facilitate dialogue, yet the WHA board consistently declined participation, symbolising a closed-door policy towards community engagement."
A spokesperson for Warrenpoint Harbour Authority has said that the Authority extended an invitation to Rotten to the Point in early November to meet with their Board and they are awaiting their response.
The group have called on the British Port Association, Department for Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd MLA, the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs, and the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to "intervene and establish a new Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Board that can restore trust and effectively manage port operations."
The spokesperson concluded "Our community remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective governance at Warrenpoint Port. We look forward to constructive dialogue and decisive action from relevant authorities to address these pressing concerns, including but not limited to, misinformation, incompetence and a long standing failure to control the odours emanating from WHA’s tenant, Re-Gen Waste Ltd, in Warrenpoint Port."
Newry.ie asked Warrenpoint Harbour Authority if they wished to comment. A WHA spokesperson said: “Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) continues to engage with and monitor ReGen’s operations at the Port. We are fully committed to an open-door policy and the Community Forum we established is enabling local people to directly engage with the Port across a range of areas and discuss any concerns that they have. We extended an invitation to Rotten to the Point in early November to meet with our Board and we await their response. We will continue to work closely with the people of Warrenpoint to ensure that we positively contribute to the local community and the economy.”
