At
least six months before Alcoa decision
By Curtis Williams
The Trinidad Guardian
Port
Spain
Petroleumworld.com
09 17 06
It
will be at least another six months before any decision
is taken on whether Alcoa will be allowed to build
a smelter in Chatham, Energy Minister Lenny Saith
said this week.
In
addition, the company will not be allowed to set
up a plant in southwestern Trinidad unless it agrees
to build an entire complex including downstream
plants.
Saith
said Alcoa was always aware that it will not be
allowed to “simply set up an aluminium smelter”
without going downstream.
“We
have always said that! It is unfortunate that people
have not been listening to us and seemed unaware
that Alcoa will have to set aside part of its production
for downstream use,” said Saith.
“This
is contained in the MOU between the government and
Alcoa.”
Saith
added, “They (Alcoa) will have to decide on
the various levels of downstream they will be involved
in and the extent to which they will export the
aluminium which will be left over.”
Saith
explained that Alcoa’s feasibility studies
will help determine how far downstream the company
can go.
The
Energy Minister added it was unfortunate that people
were being misinformed about the projects and that
journalists were also responsible for not doing
enough research and providing facts so the debate
can be less emotional.
“I
noticed in the newspaper (the Sunday Guardian) it
was reported that one can ship the hazardous waste
providing you meet certain standards. Even though
so called experts were saying otherwise. So what
is needed is less emotions and more facts,”
Saith said.
The
Trinidad Guardian
Thursday 14th September 2006
Copyright
©2006 The Trinidad Guardian. All Rights Reserved.
