Manning announces third smelterANIKA GUMBS Sunday, October 29 2006
DESPITE concerns raised over the construction of the proposed aluminium smelter plant to be constructed in the Cap-de-Ville/Chatham area, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, yesterday announced that Government has proposals for a third aluminium smelter to be constructed in the country. Not revealing where the smelter plant is to be constructed, Manning hinted that there were extra acres of land at the Food Crop Road, Chatham site.
Manning made the revelation yesterday, at the Vessigny Government Secondary School, as he delivered the feature address at a cultural extravaganza hosted by the La Brea Arts Foundation in collaboration with Non Governmental Organisation — Looking After Those In Need (LATIN).
Manning said: “We have proposals for a third aluminium smelter plant to be constructed in Trinidad and Tobago, once we examine the documents and they are accepted by Government and meet the requirements of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) it would be smelter plant number three.”
The announcement was well received by scores of La Brea, Point Fortin residents who flocked the Multi Purpose Hall all clad in red and blue and T Shirts emblazoned: “Build “D” Smelter” and “We Support Alutrint”. Saying that there are always mixed views on developmental plans, Manning said that his Government was not going to be influenced by foolishness. “Anything that you want to do in this country there are always those who are against it, if you listen to them you will gain nothing. I would never be found guilty of inactivity,” Manning declared.
Manning also accused the University of the West Indies (UWI) of “adding heat” to issue by allowing the protesting residents to pitch a camp at the St Augustine campus.
The residents who have formed themselves into the Cap-de-Ville/Chatham Environmental Protection Group have also pitched tents along the proposed site of the smelter plant protesting its construction.
Manning said: “The UWI should let the public know what is involved in the construction of the smelter plants and not shed heat on the issue, but we are not worried.”
However, Manning warned that smelter plants were not going to be constructed in the country unless investments trickled downstream. “Nobody is coming to build a smelter plant in Trinidad and Tobago and have objectives as exportation as their main production. If this is the case they would construct smelter plants elsewhere,” the prime minister stated.
