Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:13 hours 12 min ago
Alutrint: Smelter works at a standstill
Published: 2 Jul 2009
Alutrint Ltd has denied claims by anti-smelter activists and residents of La Brea that works are continuing at the Union Estate on Alutrint’s aluminum smelter complex. So said Josie-Ann Richards, manager, communications and community relations at Alutrint.
Anti-smelter activists have said works were continuing at the site despite a High Court ruling from Justice Mira Dean-Armorer quashing a certificate of environment clearance (CEC) that gave the company approval to start construction. In a statement yesterday, Richards said, “Alutrint Ltd has noted recent reports in the media which refer to ‘residents’ observations of continued work on the Alutrint smelter site, in (alleged) defiance of the recent High Court ruling.”
She said since Alutrint’s inception, “There has always been full compliance and due process with all legal and relevant authorities in T&T.” “This is reflected in part by our significant work performed to address the Environmental Management Authority’s (EMA) rigorous requirements during the CEC application process, which resulted in the overall review period of two years,” Richards said.
“Present activities on the Alutrint-designated site (which is north of the Vessigny River and South of Sobo Village) pertain to the temporary work camp (which is subject to a separate and approved CEC), and remedial work on an immediate safety hazard (that resulted from the unscheduled and immediate stoppage of works on June 16), which was communicated by the National Energy Corporation (NEC)—the manager of Union industrial estate—to the EMA as well as the residents of La Brea.” Activists have reported seeing vehicles and equipment entering the site. In the meantime, NEC said works related to the smelter is continuing because separate CECs were provided for such works.
“For the benefit of the general public, the NEC wishes to advise that works underway at Union industrial estate, specifically the construction of the TGU power plant, the temporary work camp, for Alutrint’s EPC contractor, the China National Machinery and Equipment, Import and Export Corporation (CMEC), the new port at Brighton, La Brea, as well as overall estate preparation works are governed by approved CECs, and as such, works will continue because they have approved CECs,” NEC said in a statement.
What we are saying is that
What we are saying is that we do not want any smelter, anywhere on our small beautiful tropical island. Continuing works on port and camps surely can be judged as money not well spent as the main issue of the smelter is held up in the courts. Are we telling the public by this action, that the plant will be built despite the CECs being non valid?. The entire idea of a plant now is in doubt no matter what the government says.
In one clear sweep we have committed a large anount of natural gas to a polluting, heavy industrial complex: polluting land, rivers, ground waters, reservoir waters, marine & estuarine life, and negatively affecting people's health with some of the most scared illnesses in physiological life. These include cancer, alzheimer and dementia. It takes about twenty years for these illneses to fully appear. The dreaded cancers we are to be scared of. We will cause anziety and stress in the local population. Cancers can be running in families as offsprings get older. By that time we will have a sputtering smelter as it gets older continuing to damage the health and environment in this area and illnesses continuing 20 years after the smelter has expired. Is this what fate was meant for us with our energy? It would have come full circle to bite us with revenge. I am sure we have more educated and experienced Trinis out in the public and overseas who can form an alternative NEC and make good use of our gas with cleaner industries. Its like the NEC did not use its imagination; like scraping the bottom of the barrel syndrome, in one project we assigned a lot of our gas to a project that is detrimental to our citizens. Surely its not profits at all costs. Those days have gone. Whay about a GTL plant for clean diesels and export these to USA and Japan?
Shortly after the High Court
Shortly after the High Court ruling quashing the CEC, the Prime Minister indicated that works will continue on the smelter, in spite of the ruling. My concern is that anyone and everyone can now engage in or continue their "illegal" environmental activities - dumping, cutting hillsides, mining etc.despite the EMA's position.
Does this issue now make the EMA's position purely academic?
With or without their approvals works can go on?...and
What about the decisions of our Judicial officers and system?
Should I too ignore them?...because I want to be a good citizen of T & T and emulate those in authority.
or did I get it all wrong???