A policy analyst is urging Jumby Bay Island Company to fund scholarships for Parham residents as a tangible act of accountability following an illegal dumping controversy that has drawn public condemnation.
According to Antigua Observer, policy analyst Akil Jabari made the call while commending St Peter MP Roydan Turner for publicly confronting the company over waste dumped in the community. Jabari said elected representatives have a duty to speak out on such matters.
"Well done, Mr Turner," Jabari said. "I think as a representative of the people, an elected representative, there is a guardianship component, and so he has done the right thing to call out and to certainly advocate in very clear and plain terms what he expects and what ought to be done."
Jabari said the matter carries added weight given the standing of the company involved. "Certainly, this is a serious matter, especially coming from a corporate citizen of some standing with considerable resources," he said. "It's a serious matter. It's a concerning matter."
Turner had accused Jumby Bay Island Company of dumping sargassum and other waste in and around Parham, saying the practice had continued despite repeated complaints. The company subsequently stated it instructed a contractor to remove the waste, though it has not admitted responsibility for the dumping.
Jabari argued the company now has an opportunity to respond with more than an apology. He proposed scholarships tied directly to the environmental fields most relevant to the incident.
"I think now as part of repairing that damage and redeeming themselves in the public eye, we could very well benefit from several scholarships from that corporate citizen to really show us in a tangible way that, listen, we are at error. We are sorry and we wish to atone," he said. "I think some environmental studies scholarships would be appropriate. I think some biosciences scholarships would be appropriate. Applied bioscience, biotechnology. We need that sort of skill base and that sort of skill set."
Such a gesture, Jabari said, would allow the company to demonstrate genuine accountability while contributing to the country's long-term development — particularly around growing challenges like sargassum management.
Jabari also drew on his experience living in Canada to caution against broader patterns of environmental harm targeting vulnerable communities. He said toxic dumping has historically clustered near poorer and indigenous communities there, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as environmental racism, and argued that similar vigilance is needed locally.
"You have to be vigilant and very concerned as to why you think you can do this here, why you think you can put us at risk," he said.
Despite the seriousness of his concerns, Jabari said he does not believe the matter needs to escalate to litigation, provided the company continues to act in good faith.
"We don't need to get into litigation if it is unnecessary," he said. "But if one can resolve these things amicably and expediently, why not."
