Foreign
firm to give EMA industrial island plans
By Louis B Homer, South Bureau
Trinidad Express
Port Spain
Petroleumworldtt.com
03 25 07
Government
is pushing ahead with its plans to build a controversial
offshore industrial island on the Oropouche Bank,
off Otaheite Village.
Yesterday,
Prakash Saith, president of the National Energy
Corporation, announced that a tender would be awarded
at the end of this month to a foreign consultant,
who would then provide the necessary data requested
by the Environmental Management Authority, which
has to give final approval for the project.
The
NEC, which is responsible for construction of the
estate, was asked by the EMA to provide scaled site
plans and layout, details of dredging and reclamation
and the method to be used to develop the estate.
Speaking
at a South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce
energy luncheon at Cara Suites, Claxton Bay, Saith
said a study was undertaken to protect the fishing
industry in the area.
Residents
have expressed concern that the estate would wipe
out the industry, on which many of them depend for
their livelihood. There are also fears that an aluminum
smelter will form part of the estate.
Said
Saith: "Consultants have compiled extensive
research and they have recommended proposals which
will protect and enhance the (fishing) industry."
He
said the advantages of the 1,400-hectare estate,
which is expected to be completed in four years,
will allow for "large scale clusters of gas-based
industries".
A
group calling itself the South Oropouche Citizens
Association (SOCA), headed by Mark Ramlal, is among
objectors to the construction of the island.
Yesterday,
in an immediate response to Saith's statement, Ramlal
said:"We are still adamant about the proposal.
There has been no consultation with the community
and this is utter disregard for the plight of the
villagers who make their living from fishing. We
will continue to fight, even if it means (taking)
legal action."
Trinidad
Express
Friday, March 23rd 2007
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