View from the floor at 'Sit Down' at Ministry of Energy: Groups Call again for Alutrint Cost-Benefit Information

On Thursday 19th November, Wayne Kublalsingh led a 'sit down protest' at the entrance to the Ministry of Energy & Energy Resources seeking cost-benefit information on the viability of Alutrint, the State proposed aluminium smelter. He was joined by Environmental Engineer, Cathal Healy-Singh and Square Deal Residents Abigail Modeste and Leon Modeste.

Just before being removed by police, the Minister of Energy, Conrad Enil, who was attending a Cabinet Meeting, agreed to meet us. We met 20 minutes later in his plush board room on the 17th floor of one of the brand new 'Waterfront Towers' which houses the Ministry.
Accompanying the Minister were his Communications Officer, and legal and infrastructural advisers. After shaking hands all round and sitting down, Wayne asked for the cost information. The Minister said he "did not have it and could not give it". Wayne stood up and left immediately.

Leon and Abigail stayed on to tell the story of the remaining Square Deal residents (45 households) - left to suffer in the buffer zone of Union Industrial Estate, from relentless dust, noise and 24 hour lighting due to the construction activities of TGU, the 760 MW power plant to service Alutrint.

Cathal reminded the Minister that 'sustainable development' was a necessary balance between social, ecological and economic trade-offs. The assessment of the social and ecological impacts had been "quashed" by the High Court when it ruled that the decision by the Environmental Management Authority to award environmental clearance to Alutrint was "outrageous...irrational...procedurally irregular" (June 16th, 2009). If there was no economic information at all then one could only conclude that the proposed smelter was unsustainable.

Further, Cathal pointed out that the perception in the country is that the State is seeking to strip itself of social and ecological responsibilities - as evidenced by the deregulation of the quarrying sector - which was destroying the ecology and drinking water resources of the Northern Range.

After about an hour of cordial discussion Cathal, Abigail and Leon left. The Minister promised to convene a meeting of all stakeholders to address relocation of remaining Square Deal Residents.

When we went back downstairs we were ushered out of the building right away. Wayne had resumed his seated position on the floor. By about 6pm he was lifted out of the building.