Smelter to bring US$100m
Trinidad Guardian
Port
Spain
Petroleumworld.com
07 09 06
ALCOA,
the largest aluminium company in the world, has
estimated that its proposed 341,000 tonne smelter
in southwestern Trinidad will contribute at least
US$100 million annually to the local economy.
Making this prediction on Friday
was Randy Overbey, head of Alcoa’s Trinidad
project, during the monthly meeting of the American
Chamber of Commerce of T&T at Cara Suites in
Claxton Bay.
Speaking before an audience of about
90 businessmen, Overbey said the US$100 million
($630 million) will include wages and benefits for
the 750 to 800 employees, as well as payments for
utilities, the use of the port, lease payments for
the land and disbursements to local contractors.
The Alcoa executive made it clear
that the US$100 million would include the cost of
natural gas, which will be used to generate electricity
to smelt the alumina.
There was no indication from Overbey,
however, that corporate taxes had been included
in the total.
He also told the AmCham meeting
that between 50 and 100 expatriates will be brought
to T&T initially to work at the US$1.5 billion
aluminium smelter and power station.
Overbey said the construction of
the smelter, power station and associated downstream
facilities will create 800 long term jobs for local
nationals.
He said between 1,500 to 2,500 locals
will be employed during the construction phase.
Overbey said because modern aluminium
smelting and manufacturing facilities use advanced
technology, trained skilled operators were a necessity.
He said the foreign operators will
be provided with housing accommodation close to
the plant.
However, he said the National Energy
Company and the Government will be responsible for
relocating local residents.
At the meeting, Overbey said Alcoa
will be proceeding with the plant construction despite
public protests. He said test drilling on the aluminium
smelter plant in Cap-de-ville, Point Fortin, is
expected to begin within the next few weeks.
He said a definitive agreement was
also expected to be signed between the Government
and Alcoa over the next few weeks.
Overbey said Alcoa had already pumped
a sizeable amount of money in preparation for construction
of the modern aluminium smelter and power station.
He
said the contractor in charge of the drilling had
been instructed to avoid as much as possible disturbing
the environment.
Trinidad Guardian/Sunday 9th July, 2006
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