...Enill: Govt won't abandon smelter project

Ria Taitt Political Editor
Wednesday, June 17th 2009
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161492181

There is no intention on the Government's part to abandon the smelter project. But it will respect the High Court judgment and would look at the application for the Certificate of Environmental Clearance to see if there is any room of improvement, Energy Minister Conrad Enill indicated yesterday.

"There are those who say that democracy does not work. It is very clear that democracy is working. It is very clear that if people believe that their rights have not been dealt with in a particular way, they have recourse; and the Government would stand by whatever that judgment (of the court) is. But the Government is also prepared in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago to do whatever it considers necessary for the long-term survival of our people. And at this point in time, we believe that getting into this particular (smelter) business is appropriate. And that is what we would seek to do," Enill said.

Pointing out that he had not yet been apprised of the details of the judgment, Enill said the CEC process was one over which the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) had control and if it was granted then "technically it should stand". "So I would like to understand what were the issues (raised in the judgment) and we would address them," he said.

Enill said when Government took the decision to establish the smelter plant, it was done on the basis that there were no health or safety challenges. "So if it is that there is an issue now, we would simply look at it and if we have to reapply (for the CEC) we would so do," he said, adding: "It is our intention to ensure that the project is built."

He said the Government had invested some $30 to $40 million in phase one which deals with site preparation. The project is estimated to cost $400 million.

Planning and Environment Minister Dr Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde said she was advised that the rigorous exercise through which the EMA had put this matter was flawless. She said she was satisfied that the EMA did an "overly thorough job" and was confident the plant would come to fruition.