Fishermen slam 'lies' in mailbox

Proposed Claxton Bay industrial port
Carolyn Kissoon South Bureau
Sunday, July 5th 2009
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161500695

Fishermen were fuming yesterday over a pamphlet being dropped in their mailboxes by the National Energy Corporation (NEC), outlining benefits of the proposed industrial port at Claxton Bay.

Kishore Boodram, president of the Claxton Bay Fishing Association, said the document contained inaccuracies and was misleading to residents.

"This pamphlet was dropped off in residents' mailboxes and is a set of lies. The NEC states that the project would open up 6,000 jobs for residents, but they have never had consultation with us about this," he said.

Boodram said the fishermen were not going to give up their mangrove without a fight.

"This seabed is rich with fishes, and we are not going to allow them to take this away from us. They are talking about getting jobs, but nobody came and ask us anything," he said.

Environmental activist Prof Wayne Kublalsingh said the survey conducted by NEC had nothing to do with Claxton Bay.

"The pictures are not fishermen from Claxton Bay. They are painting a pretty picture of what is going to happen here, but they are not talking about the negative things this will bring," he said.

Kublalsingh said the construction of a port at Claxton Bay would mean fewer fishes in the ocean. He said many families in the community would become unemployed.

Mahadeo Sooknanan, a fisherman for over 40 years at Claxton Bay, said he was disgusted by the information on the document. He said the existing jetty at Claxton Bay was constructed by the fishermen 30 years ago.

"When they take this away from us, we will have nothing. I don't know if they expect us to use our boats to bring in drugs and sell. We will have to find a way to provide for our families," he said.

Sooknanan, surrounded by several fishermen, set fire to the NEC document.

Sterlin Craig, who lives at Pranz Gardens, the village nearest the ESSAR Steel Caribbean's proposed project site, said residents were ready to take their battle to the court.

"We are seeking legal advice and will take action when necessary. I am not going to allow my children to grow up near that plant, and no one has offered us alternative accommodation," he said.

Environmentalist Peter Vine said the matter was now in the hands of the Environmental Management Authority.

"But the EMA is not acting on the part of the public but on the side of the Government of the day. The board needs to resign," he said.