Moonilal: No smelter

Published: 14 Jun 2010
Richard Lord

Housing and Environment Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says no smelter plant will be established in T&T. Dr Moonilal, who is also expected to be the Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, said that during an interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday. “We have said before that there will be no smelter (in T&T). This is the position, (And) until and unless, all the parties to this dispute can arrive at a consensus as the need for such a development policy and assures the nation to the health and safety issues, there will be no smelter in T&T.”

There have been sustained objections by environmentalists and other groups and individuals, including the United National Congress, over the proposed construction of an aluminium smelter plant in T&T. However, it was during the last term of the former Patrick Manning Government that approval was granted for the construction of the Alutrint aluminium smelter plant at La Brea, South Trinidad. It was in April 2007 the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) granted a certificate of environmental clearance was given to Alutrint to establish the plant. Source: http://guardian.co.tt/news/politics/2010/06/14/moonilal-no-smelter