The 3rd 'Drumit' took place on 28th November to coincide with the CHOGM Heads of Government meeting. Thousands of emails and flyers were distributed. The turn out was small. Our efforts to get the attention of the foreign press were not successful. Very few international NGO representatives attended. In many regards it was not successful, the DJ with the public address system was several hours late. The medium sized pan sides who had committed to being there did not show up...there was no 'pan' at the 'panit'.
The local press was there early. They left before we got started. Some 64 persons attended most were part of a core progressive group involved in social activism. Speakers included persons from La Brea Concerned Citizens United, Rights Action Group, Jubilange People's Community Co-operative Society Limited, National Joint Action Committee, National Food Crop Farmers Association, Claxton Bay Fishermen's Association, Clyde Weatherhead, Clive Ninez. Burton Sankeralli performed several songs.
Despite the disappointing turnout, a relationship was initiated between the La Brea and Laventille community groups, one fighting against a proposed toxic industry (Alutrint) and the other fighting against neglect, poverty and the vulnerability of youth to easily accessible drugs and guns.
Both groups pledged to gain better understanding of each other and work together.
Showing posts with label La Brea Concerned Citizens United. Show all posts
Showing posts with label La Brea Concerned Citizens United. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
No Community Voices of Dissent allowed at CHOGM
During CHOGM the People's Space at the Savannah was largely empty. On the three occasions that I visited there seemed to be more entertainers that visitors.
The La Brea Concerned Citizens United were encouraged by Steve Theodore to participate in the People's Space. Initially they were to present a 'skit' on 23rd November. This was shifted back to the 29th (note that the NGO, Business and Youth Fora took place from 23rd to 26th November).
When LBCCU showed up on the 29th the police denied them entrance to the People's Space. According to Elijah Gour, President of Union Village Council "the police told us we were protesters and we were not allowed to enter the People's Space with any anti-government sentiment".
According to the Newsday (November 30th) 'At the time of the minor dispute at the entrance, spouses of the several foreign dignitaries here for CHOGM were enjoying a cultural presentation inside. The contingent, led by Minister of Local Government Hazel Manning, arrived at the show over three hours after the scheduled time. Hazel Browne, Head of the Network of Non-Governmental Organizations and a member of the Organizing Committee that it was a "case of a mix-up". She assured that "the organizers did not take the position that the team from La Brea were protesters". She explained that the police "made that judgement call on their own" According to Browne "I think they were turned away for security reasons". Brown "accepted responsibility for the mis-communication".
What the people of Trinidad and Tobago need to understand from this lesson is that dissent is not tolerated by Manning's Regime. Orders were given to prevent anti-smelter expressions even at the "People's Space". This should come as no surprise. The Minister of Energy, Conrad Enil, said that he is under "no obligation" to justify the economics of the smelter to NGOs". he said "so what" when the press said that a group of NGOs led by Kublalsingh had been seeking cost-benefit information on Alutrint for over 4 years.
When foreigners are here T&T must present a facade of a thriving democracy galloping towards developed nation status using oil and gas assets. This is a shame! There is no democracy here. There is no justice. There will not be peace!
The La Brea Concerned Citizens United were encouraged by Steve Theodore to participate in the People's Space. Initially they were to present a 'skit' on 23rd November. This was shifted back to the 29th (note that the NGO, Business and Youth Fora took place from 23rd to 26th November).
When LBCCU showed up on the 29th the police denied them entrance to the People's Space. According to Elijah Gour, President of Union Village Council "the police told us we were protesters and we were not allowed to enter the People's Space with any anti-government sentiment".
According to the Newsday (November 30th) 'At the time of the minor dispute at the entrance, spouses of the several foreign dignitaries here for CHOGM were enjoying a cultural presentation inside. The contingent, led by Minister of Local Government Hazel Manning, arrived at the show over three hours after the scheduled time. Hazel Browne, Head of the Network of Non-Governmental Organizations and a member of the Organizing Committee that it was a "case of a mix-up". She assured that "the organizers did not take the position that the team from La Brea were protesters". She explained that the police "made that judgement call on their own" According to Browne "I think they were turned away for security reasons". Brown "accepted responsibility for the mis-communication".
What the people of Trinidad and Tobago need to understand from this lesson is that dissent is not tolerated by Manning's Regime. Orders were given to prevent anti-smelter expressions even at the "People's Space". This should come as no surprise. The Minister of Energy, Conrad Enil, said that he is under "no obligation" to justify the economics of the smelter to NGOs". he said "so what" when the press said that a group of NGOs led by Kublalsingh had been seeking cost-benefit information on Alutrint for over 4 years.
When foreigners are here T&T must present a facade of a thriving democracy galloping towards developed nation status using oil and gas assets. This is a shame! There is no democracy here. There is no justice. There will not be peace!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Outside entrance to Union Industrial Estate
Alutrint put up scores of banners throughout La Brea 'thanking La Brea for "welcoming" Alutrint into their community.In the second picture Alutrint's Family Day banner invites the public to "Hear what is really going on in La Brea from Real La Brea residents".
Anti-smelter communities of Sobo, Vessigny, Vance River and Union Villages responded with "Cancer Zone". Some 4,100 persons live in these Villages which are within 2km of Union Industrial Estate. Residents of these Villages formed La Brea Concerned Citizens United. They are the ones targeted for for cancer testing
Monday, July 27, 2009
SOLIDARITY STATEMENT FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ON DAY OF GLOBAL ACTION TO STOP VEDANTA MINING BAUXITE IN ORISSA INDIA
17th July, 2009, Union Village, La Brea
We the La Brea Concerned Citizens United are actively engaged in a struggle against the introduction of Alutrint - a 125,000 MT/year State owned aluminium smelter, into our communities in South West Trinidad & Tobago. This smelter is being financed and built by the Chinese government at an estimated cost of $US 1.3B.
A fragmented, flawed and deceptive approvals process began more than five years ago to make way for Alutrint to gain permission to commence construction. Permission was granted on 2nd April, 2007. However, in June 2009, in a land mark decision, we were successful in halting construction when our high courts ruled through a ‘judicial review’ process, that the decision by our Environmental Management Authority (EMA) to grant approval to Alutrint, when considering disposal of hazardous wastes and cumulative impacts, was: “outrageous…irrational…procedurally irregular…and shrouded in secrecy”. The appeals process begins next month. Irrespective of outcome, the case will end up in the London based Privy Council.
Some 10,000 persons live within 2.5 miles of the proposed smelter. Already 1000 acres of our most valuable forests, animals and freshwater dams are destroyed. This was carried out in 2004 without our knowledge or consent. Since then we have been living next to a dust bowl. Our river is now a mud hole. Recently, medical monitoring documents concealed by Alutrint and the EMA were brought to our communities which show they plan to test some 4000 residents who live within a mile of the proposed smelter for cancer every two years. Workers on the smelter are to be tested every 6 months.
Our government declares aliminium and steel smelting in our small island to be “sustainable development”. Recent attempts by Essar Steel in collusion with our Government, to destroy the Claxton Bay mangoves in the mid-West of our island were met with great resistance by local fishermen, farmers and residents. Unfortunately some 500 acres of prime agricultural lands were clear cut for Essar before they decided to withdraw.
Trinidad & Tobago has natural gas which is fast being depleted. We have about twelve years left at present extraction rates. Foreign demand comes first. The State has no inclination towards future energy security far less concern for global warming and consequent breakdown of climate. Our struggle to make our people conscious of the imperative to recover and wisely use sovereign gas assets continues.
The La Brea Concerns Citizens United have been receiving information on the battles over bauxite mining in the Mountains of Khondistan in south Orissa and north Andhra Pradesh. We understand that the people who inhabit the Niyamgiri range, the most densely forested of these mountains, are in the midst of a life or death battle. We recognize and deeply respect the spiritual and material value of the Khondistan Mountains to their people and the profound value to them of keeping these mountains intact and productive for generations to come. We strongly oppose ‘Vedanta’ destroying them to capture alumina.
We wish to note the absurdity of Vedanta’s claims to a “greenfield aluminium refinery” and the vulgar abuse of the meaning of the word “Vedanta”, to name a company responsible for ending the spiritual and material experience of the indigenous peoples of Orissa.
The La Brea Concerned Citizens United of South-West Trinidad in the Caribbean and the Dongria Konds of the Niyamgiri Range of Orissa, India, despite our differences, share a common enemy - greed and short-sightedness of our leaders.
Today, on this 27th July, 2009, we wish to declare our solidarity with you on your Day of Global Action against ‘Vedanta Aluminium Limited’, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources PLC, which is responsible for catastrophic actions against the material nature and spiritual values of the people of Orissa.
Great is the solidarity of collective humanity. May it always prevail!
We the La Brea Concerned Citizens United are actively engaged in a struggle against the introduction of Alutrint - a 125,000 MT/year State owned aluminium smelter, into our communities in South West Trinidad & Tobago. This smelter is being financed and built by the Chinese government at an estimated cost of $US 1.3B.
A fragmented, flawed and deceptive approvals process began more than five years ago to make way for Alutrint to gain permission to commence construction. Permission was granted on 2nd April, 2007. However, in June 2009, in a land mark decision, we were successful in halting construction when our high courts ruled through a ‘judicial review’ process, that the decision by our Environmental Management Authority (EMA) to grant approval to Alutrint, when considering disposal of hazardous wastes and cumulative impacts, was: “outrageous…irrational…procedurally irregular…and shrouded in secrecy”. The appeals process begins next month. Irrespective of outcome, the case will end up in the London based Privy Council.
Some 10,000 persons live within 2.5 miles of the proposed smelter. Already 1000 acres of our most valuable forests, animals and freshwater dams are destroyed. This was carried out in 2004 without our knowledge or consent. Since then we have been living next to a dust bowl. Our river is now a mud hole. Recently, medical monitoring documents concealed by Alutrint and the EMA were brought to our communities which show they plan to test some 4000 residents who live within a mile of the proposed smelter for cancer every two years. Workers on the smelter are to be tested every 6 months.
Our government declares aliminium and steel smelting in our small island to be “sustainable development”. Recent attempts by Essar Steel in collusion with our Government, to destroy the Claxton Bay mangoves in the mid-West of our island were met with great resistance by local fishermen, farmers and residents. Unfortunately some 500 acres of prime agricultural lands were clear cut for Essar before they decided to withdraw.
Trinidad & Tobago has natural gas which is fast being depleted. We have about twelve years left at present extraction rates. Foreign demand comes first. The State has no inclination towards future energy security far less concern for global warming and consequent breakdown of climate. Our struggle to make our people conscious of the imperative to recover and wisely use sovereign gas assets continues.
The La Brea Concerns Citizens United have been receiving information on the battles over bauxite mining in the Mountains of Khondistan in south Orissa and north Andhra Pradesh. We understand that the people who inhabit the Niyamgiri range, the most densely forested of these mountains, are in the midst of a life or death battle. We recognize and deeply respect the spiritual and material value of the Khondistan Mountains to their people and the profound value to them of keeping these mountains intact and productive for generations to come. We strongly oppose ‘Vedanta’ destroying them to capture alumina.
We wish to note the absurdity of Vedanta’s claims to a “greenfield aluminium refinery” and the vulgar abuse of the meaning of the word “Vedanta”, to name a company responsible for ending the spiritual and material experience of the indigenous peoples of Orissa.
The La Brea Concerned Citizens United of South-West Trinidad in the Caribbean and the Dongria Konds of the Niyamgiri Range of Orissa, India, despite our differences, share a common enemy - greed and short-sightedness of our leaders.
Today, on this 27th July, 2009, we wish to declare our solidarity with you on your Day of Global Action against ‘Vedanta Aluminium Limited’, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources PLC, which is responsible for catastrophic actions against the material nature and spiritual values of the people of Orissa.
Great is the solidarity of collective humanity. May it always prevail!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Minister of Housing Asks Buffer Zone Residents to Voluntarily Apply for Houses
The Junior Minister of Housing, Ms. Tina Gronlund-Nunez, held a meeting yesterday together with MP Fitzgerald Jeffery in La Brea and told residents of the Alutrint “buffer zone” that because of the court decision she cannot discuss relocation but that she wanted all residents to know that the HDC has houses available and that they can “voluntarily” apply to the HDC to get houses that are available. This came on the heels of telling residents that they had lost their chance of getting a house because of the people who are opposing the construction of the smelter complex.
One of the major requirements for the progress of the Alutrint Smelter is the relocation of all residents living within 100 m of the plant site known as the “buffer zone”. The now quashed CEC that was granted to the EMA required that all negotiations and acquisitions of property be settled before ANY works commenced on the site. This did not happen before Alutrint started pile testing and other works on the site, a matter that has been repeatedly emphasized in local protests.
The EMA acting together with Alutrint has recently appealed the court case and has asked for the appeal to be heard as soon as possible. The Government clearly intends to build the smelter and if this intention remains then its necessity to relocate residents must also remain, as the smelter cannot be operated without the relocation requirements being met. Thus is it puzzling that the Minister of Housing would visit the community and make buffer zone residents feel that they have now lost out on relocation.
The La Brea Concerned Citizens United had expressed in a press release to the media since early June that citizens protests were not only against the smelter for health concerns but also for the fair relocation and compensation of buffer zone residents, many of whom have been severely affected for some time by all the works Union Industrial Estate. The Minister appeared to be attempting to divide the community by making buffer zone residents feel that they are being disadvantaged through the rejection of the smelter by residents of the “beltline”, who live within 2km of the smelter and have to be tested for cancer and other diseases.
The La Brea Concerned Citizens coordinating group did not officially attend the meeting, which was attended by some 16 residents of the area. We had requested an invitation and agenda in writing. However, the MP said he was unable to provide a written agenda or a written invitation. We find this practice nontransparent. Thus the current representatives on the coordinating group decided not to engage in such a forum. We are, however disappointed that the meeting turned out to be an attempt by Mr. Fitzgerald to herd the community further towards accepting the smelter rather than using the opportunity listen to residents' concerns about the smelter.
When Mr. Elijah Gour, in his capacity as President of the Union Village Council, raised the facts on the health effects of modern smelters as stated in Alutrint’s own Medical Monitoring Plan he was cut off and the meeting was brought to a close. The MP for the area circulated a document at the meeting, which among other things, quotes from the Prime Minister’s speeches to assure residents that there were no health risks to the smelter. It does not address the factual material contained in the Medical Monitoring Plan prepared for Alutrint by the Caribbean Health Research Council and International Institute for Healthcare and Human Development.
We are in agreement with the Govermnment’s objective of development, however, we will like to take it one step further; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. Employment, educational enhancement and economic growth are all desirous but NOT at the expense of our health, our community, our environment, our natural resources and most importantly, our children's future.
One of the major requirements for the progress of the Alutrint Smelter is the relocation of all residents living within 100 m of the plant site known as the “buffer zone”. The now quashed CEC that was granted to the EMA required that all negotiations and acquisitions of property be settled before ANY works commenced on the site. This did not happen before Alutrint started pile testing and other works on the site, a matter that has been repeatedly emphasized in local protests.
The EMA acting together with Alutrint has recently appealed the court case and has asked for the appeal to be heard as soon as possible. The Government clearly intends to build the smelter and if this intention remains then its necessity to relocate residents must also remain, as the smelter cannot be operated without the relocation requirements being met. Thus is it puzzling that the Minister of Housing would visit the community and make buffer zone residents feel that they have now lost out on relocation.
The La Brea Concerned Citizens United had expressed in a press release to the media since early June that citizens protests were not only against the smelter for health concerns but also for the fair relocation and compensation of buffer zone residents, many of whom have been severely affected for some time by all the works Union Industrial Estate. The Minister appeared to be attempting to divide the community by making buffer zone residents feel that they are being disadvantaged through the rejection of the smelter by residents of the “beltline”, who live within 2km of the smelter and have to be tested for cancer and other diseases.
The La Brea Concerned Citizens coordinating group did not officially attend the meeting, which was attended by some 16 residents of the area. We had requested an invitation and agenda in writing. However, the MP said he was unable to provide a written agenda or a written invitation. We find this practice nontransparent. Thus the current representatives on the coordinating group decided not to engage in such a forum. We are, however disappointed that the meeting turned out to be an attempt by Mr. Fitzgerald to herd the community further towards accepting the smelter rather than using the opportunity listen to residents' concerns about the smelter.
When Mr. Elijah Gour, in his capacity as President of the Union Village Council, raised the facts on the health effects of modern smelters as stated in Alutrint’s own Medical Monitoring Plan he was cut off and the meeting was brought to a close. The MP for the area circulated a document at the meeting, which among other things, quotes from the Prime Minister’s speeches to assure residents that there were no health risks to the smelter. It does not address the factual material contained in the Medical Monitoring Plan prepared for Alutrint by the Caribbean Health Research Council and International Institute for Healthcare and Human Development.
We are in agreement with the Govermnment’s objective of development, however, we will like to take it one step further; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. Employment, educational enhancement and economic growth are all desirous but NOT at the expense of our health, our community, our environment, our natural resources and most importantly, our children's future.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Smelter appeal to be heard in September (T&T Guardian Newspaper, 14/07/09)
by Francis Joseph
The appeal against the construction of the aluminium smelter plant at La Brea has been deemed urgent and will be heard sometime in September. Madame Justice Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, presiding in the Court of Appeal, also ordered that the Attorney General be made a party to the appeal. On June 16, Madame Justice Mira Dean-Armorer, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court, granted an order of certiorari, quashing the decision of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to issue a certificate of environmental clearance on April 2, 2007, to Alutrint, the developer.
Dean-Armorer said, “It is my view that the decision of the defendant, EMA, was procedurally irregular, irrational, and made without regard to the relevant consideration, that is to say, the consideration of the cumulative impact of the three related projects—the power plant, the aluminium complex, and the port facility.” Dean-Armorer remitted the matter to the EMA for consideration, meaning that the EMA must go over the entire process for the construction of the smelter plant. The case was filed by three public interest groups, People United Respecting the Environment (Pure), Rights Action Group (RAG) and the Smelter Karavan.
But the EMA did not appeal against the three groups. The EMA appealed against PURE, although lawyers for the three groups appeared at the Court of Appeal yesterday. PURE was represented by Marina Narinesingh. The first application was for the Attorney General to become a party to the appeal, although the AG asked that he would not be liable for costs at the end of the matter. Representing the AG were Russell Martineau SC and Stuart Young. Alutrint, which was represented by Deborah Peake SC and Kerwyn Garcia, sought and was granted a stay of the payment of costs. Ian Benjamin represented EMA.
There was no application to stay the judgment of Dean-Armorer. The EMA asked that the appeal be deemed urgent. Soo Hon agreed that the appeal be deemed urgent, and that the appeal be expedited and be fixed on a date in September. The 2008-2009 law terms ends on July 31 and the new law term will open on September 21 with the ceremonial parade.
The appeal against the construction of the aluminium smelter plant at La Brea has been deemed urgent and will be heard sometime in September. Madame Justice Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, presiding in the Court of Appeal, also ordered that the Attorney General be made a party to the appeal. On June 16, Madame Justice Mira Dean-Armorer, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court, granted an order of certiorari, quashing the decision of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to issue a certificate of environmental clearance on April 2, 2007, to Alutrint, the developer.
Dean-Armorer said, “It is my view that the decision of the defendant, EMA, was procedurally irregular, irrational, and made without regard to the relevant consideration, that is to say, the consideration of the cumulative impact of the three related projects—the power plant, the aluminium complex, and the port facility.” Dean-Armorer remitted the matter to the EMA for consideration, meaning that the EMA must go over the entire process for the construction of the smelter plant. The case was filed by three public interest groups, People United Respecting the Environment (Pure), Rights Action Group (RAG) and the Smelter Karavan.
But the EMA did not appeal against the three groups. The EMA appealed against PURE, although lawyers for the three groups appeared at the Court of Appeal yesterday. PURE was represented by Marina Narinesingh. The first application was for the Attorney General to become a party to the appeal, although the AG asked that he would not be liable for costs at the end of the matter. Representing the AG were Russell Martineau SC and Stuart Young. Alutrint, which was represented by Deborah Peake SC and Kerwyn Garcia, sought and was granted a stay of the payment of costs. Ian Benjamin represented EMA.
There was no application to stay the judgment of Dean-Armorer. The EMA asked that the appeal be deemed urgent. Soo Hon agreed that the appeal be deemed urgent, and that the appeal be expedited and be fixed on a date in September. The 2008-2009 law terms ends on July 31 and the new law term will open on September 21 with the ceremonial parade.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
La Concerned Citizens United Respond to Comments by Prime Minister in Newsday on 1st July, 2009
Dear Editor, In your July 1 article “PM: Smelter Work Won’t Stop”, The Prime Minister’s statements about the High Court ruling on the Alutrint Smelter CEC is misleading in several regards.
The Prime Minister states that that the court had objected to the process under which the CEC was granted and not to the smelter plant itself. The article has the effect of giving the false impression that the Court case was about the merits of the smelter and that, having considered these merits, “the courts did not object to the smelter, the courts just said the process needed to be beefed up in a certain area” and that’s what they were “seeking to do now”. We wish to clarify for the public that the Court case was never about the merits of the smelter. It was about the process followed by the EMA in granting permission to Alutrint. In this regard the judge found that the EMA acted in a manner that was “procedurally irregular” and “irrational”.
The real significance of this judgment is not that the EMA needed to “beef up” its process. The significance is that the courts found that towards the end, the process had been corrupted. The EMA was found to have acted “irregularly” not only with respect to the law but also with respect to its own track record on handling the CEC case. In the end, the battery of high powered lawyers representing the EMA, Alutrint, and The Attorney General, failed to satisfy the court that the EMA did its job with regard to its purpose as an agency and the laws of our country.
The Court found that the EMA had been following procedures all along for about 18 months but suddenly around March of 2007 their process became “irregular”. The EMA failed to consider the environment and human health effects of the Spent Pot Liners which the experts had identified as the type of waste that posed the greatest threat of harm to human health. The judge considered this failure “outrageous” given the responsibility that our country has placed in the EMA’s hands. The judge then found that the report on the cumulative impact of components of the smelter complex: the power plant, port, and smelter was “shrouded in secrecy”. In addition, there was the most abnormal behavior of the EMA, which received the report on March 27, 2009 and without proper independent expert review or public review, issued the CEC to Alutrint a mere five days later on April 2, 2007 (a weekend included).
Given the findings of the Court on the conduct of the EMA, it is not surprising, that the Prime Minister has stated that the EMA “is moving as fast as possible” to get Alutrint back on track. The Prime Minister, and apparently the EMA, before considering the serious matters of human health that were neglected along with the public’s views on these matters, know the conclusion will be a grant of a CEC to Alutrint.
This serves to fortify our view that the EMA lacks both the integrity and intention to conduct an independent CEC process. Aside from its failure in the CEC process for Alutrint, the EMA has ignored our complaints for about four years about serious effects of activities of the Union Industrial Estate on the environment and our health. The EMA has allowed the NEC to violate the CEC it granted for the Union Industrial Estate. You just have to come to Sobo, Vessigny, and Square Deal to see how we are covered in dust, the sickness, and the destruction of the Vessigny River. The EMA has allowed Alutrint to violate its CEC with respect to commencing works before settling relocation of residents that fall within the buffer zone. This Agency has been nothing short of hostile and blatantly unconcerned about our communities and the environment.
The EMA, Alutrint, and the NEC would have to be taking God out of their thoughts to come back here to La Brea for the planned pretense of “beefing up” or conducting a new CEC process. La Brea Concerned Citizens United
The Prime Minister states that that the court had objected to the process under which the CEC was granted and not to the smelter plant itself. The article has the effect of giving the false impression that the Court case was about the merits of the smelter and that, having considered these merits, “the courts did not object to the smelter, the courts just said the process needed to be beefed up in a certain area” and that’s what they were “seeking to do now”. We wish to clarify for the public that the Court case was never about the merits of the smelter. It was about the process followed by the EMA in granting permission to Alutrint. In this regard the judge found that the EMA acted in a manner that was “procedurally irregular” and “irrational”.
The real significance of this judgment is not that the EMA needed to “beef up” its process. The significance is that the courts found that towards the end, the process had been corrupted. The EMA was found to have acted “irregularly” not only with respect to the law but also with respect to its own track record on handling the CEC case. In the end, the battery of high powered lawyers representing the EMA, Alutrint, and The Attorney General, failed to satisfy the court that the EMA did its job with regard to its purpose as an agency and the laws of our country.
The Court found that the EMA had been following procedures all along for about 18 months but suddenly around March of 2007 their process became “irregular”. The EMA failed to consider the environment and human health effects of the Spent Pot Liners which the experts had identified as the type of waste that posed the greatest threat of harm to human health. The judge considered this failure “outrageous” given the responsibility that our country has placed in the EMA’s hands. The judge then found that the report on the cumulative impact of components of the smelter complex: the power plant, port, and smelter was “shrouded in secrecy”. In addition, there was the most abnormal behavior of the EMA, which received the report on March 27, 2009 and without proper independent expert review or public review, issued the CEC to Alutrint a mere five days later on April 2, 2007 (a weekend included).
Given the findings of the Court on the conduct of the EMA, it is not surprising, that the Prime Minister has stated that the EMA “is moving as fast as possible” to get Alutrint back on track. The Prime Minister, and apparently the EMA, before considering the serious matters of human health that were neglected along with the public’s views on these matters, know the conclusion will be a grant of a CEC to Alutrint.
This serves to fortify our view that the EMA lacks both the integrity and intention to conduct an independent CEC process. Aside from its failure in the CEC process for Alutrint, the EMA has ignored our complaints for about four years about serious effects of activities of the Union Industrial Estate on the environment and our health. The EMA has allowed the NEC to violate the CEC it granted for the Union Industrial Estate. You just have to come to Sobo, Vessigny, and Square Deal to see how we are covered in dust, the sickness, and the destruction of the Vessigny River. The EMA has allowed Alutrint to violate its CEC with respect to commencing works before settling relocation of residents that fall within the buffer zone. This Agency has been nothing short of hostile and blatantly unconcerned about our communities and the environment.
The EMA, Alutrint, and the NEC would have to be taking God out of their thoughts to come back here to La Brea for the planned pretense of “beefing up” or conducting a new CEC process. La Brea Concerned Citizens United
Thursday, June 25, 2009
RELOCATION LIES Fact Sheet distributed by La Brea Concerned Citizens United
DON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN – Illegal Operations, Trickery in
Relocation Exercises - FACT!
1. Alutrint is conducting works in its site in violation of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance it got from the EMA. The Section of the Certificate on ‘Resident Relocation and Resettlement’, says:
“All final negotiations for the acquisition of all properties and compensation shall be completed before the commencement of all works” (page 4, Section I, Certificate of Environmental Clearance).
This Resettlement only applies to residents within 100 metres (300 feet) of the Buffer Zone of the Smelter Complex. Alutrint has not settled the negotiations on relocation and acquired all properties but it has commenced works on the site driving test piles and compacting the soil draining out the water. Residents can hear this day and night and have to eat and breathe dust day and night.
CAN WE TRUST THE COMPANY THAT BREAKS THE LAW? IF THIS COMPANY WENT FOR A CERTIFICATE OF CHARACTER, LIKE THE ONES BEING ASKED OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BEFORE THEY COULD BE CONSIDERED FOR JOBS, WOULD IT QUALIFY FOR ONE?
2. Alutrint Is Violating the Guidelines in its permit for relocating residents as well as what it says in its own Resident Relocation Plan. Alutrint’s own Resident Relocation Plan says that it is following the World Bank Guidelines, which means it should relocate people to equal or better conditions, they should not lose their livelihoods, and Alutrint should negotiate with the people.
Instead of negotiating, Alutrint, through its valuation company Row and NEC, has disrespected and bossed around the residents and tries to move them to place as far as Debe where they cannot keep their jobs in La Brea and put them in pre-fab houses that are inferior. Now it decided to put them in Hubertstown without talking to the residents.
The residents have requested a formal meeting that is documented and cannot get one. Alutrint does not want to meet the residents in public meetings it wants to pick us off one by one and meet “leaders” so that it can give them hands outs and breaks our strength. Why doesn’t Alutrint want to come into the light?
3. Alutrint is trying to make the public feel that they are going along fine with relocation. THEY ARE NOT! Alutrint had a ceremony to turn the sod at Hubertstown and it was attended mostly by URP workers that they brought in to fill up the place. None of the residents that were supposed to be relocated attended except for one who went to speak to them about our cause.
ALUTRINT WANTS THE REST IF TRINIDAD TO BELIEVE THAT LOCAL PEOPLE ARE ALL HAPPY WITH ALUTRINT AND IT IS ONLY A SAMLL GROUP THAT IS UNHAPPY. THIS IS HOW THEY ARE HOPING TO SNEAK THROUGH AND BULID THE SMELTER TO SMELT ALL OF US IN SOBO, VANCE RIVER, VESSIGNY AND UNION.
ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THEIR TRICKERY AGAIN?
4. Alutrint is trying to pass off responsibility for relocation as if it is NEC’s responsibility. IT is NOT! The NEC transferred the certificate of environmental clearance to Alutrint since the beginning of 2008.
Alutrint is legally and soley responsible for everything concerning the smelter whether it is hiring people to build it or settling relocation. So whether it is NEC doing the relocation, or ROW, or people from another planet, Alutrint is still responsible to the residents and is responsible for doing it in accordance with what is in the Plans and requirement of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance. It is not doing this and when the truth comes out it tries to blame the NEC. What kind of people do that sort of thing?
ALUTRINT HAS PROVEN THAT IT CANNOT BE TRUSTED.
DO YOU TRUST ALUTRINT WITH YOUR LIFE?
GET THE FACTS. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
COME OUT AND JOIN OTHER VILLAGERS TO STAND UP TOGETHER.
EITHER THE SMELTER GOES AND RESIDENTS GET REGULARISED OR WE ALL GET RELOCATED
For more information come out to Meetings
Together We Will !!!
Relocation Exercises - FACT!
1. Alutrint is conducting works in its site in violation of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance it got from the EMA. The Section of the Certificate on ‘Resident Relocation and Resettlement’, says:
“All final negotiations for the acquisition of all properties and compensation shall be completed before the commencement of all works” (page 4, Section I, Certificate of Environmental Clearance).
This Resettlement only applies to residents within 100 metres (300 feet) of the Buffer Zone of the Smelter Complex. Alutrint has not settled the negotiations on relocation and acquired all properties but it has commenced works on the site driving test piles and compacting the soil draining out the water. Residents can hear this day and night and have to eat and breathe dust day and night.
CAN WE TRUST THE COMPANY THAT BREAKS THE LAW? IF THIS COMPANY WENT FOR A CERTIFICATE OF CHARACTER, LIKE THE ONES BEING ASKED OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BEFORE THEY COULD BE CONSIDERED FOR JOBS, WOULD IT QUALIFY FOR ONE?
2. Alutrint Is Violating the Guidelines in its permit for relocating residents as well as what it says in its own Resident Relocation Plan. Alutrint’s own Resident Relocation Plan says that it is following the World Bank Guidelines, which means it should relocate people to equal or better conditions, they should not lose their livelihoods, and Alutrint should negotiate with the people.
Instead of negotiating, Alutrint, through its valuation company Row and NEC, has disrespected and bossed around the residents and tries to move them to place as far as Debe where they cannot keep their jobs in La Brea and put them in pre-fab houses that are inferior. Now it decided to put them in Hubertstown without talking to the residents.
The residents have requested a formal meeting that is documented and cannot get one. Alutrint does not want to meet the residents in public meetings it wants to pick us off one by one and meet “leaders” so that it can give them hands outs and breaks our strength. Why doesn’t Alutrint want to come into the light?
3. Alutrint is trying to make the public feel that they are going along fine with relocation. THEY ARE NOT! Alutrint had a ceremony to turn the sod at Hubertstown and it was attended mostly by URP workers that they brought in to fill up the place. None of the residents that were supposed to be relocated attended except for one who went to speak to them about our cause.
ALUTRINT WANTS THE REST IF TRINIDAD TO BELIEVE THAT LOCAL PEOPLE ARE ALL HAPPY WITH ALUTRINT AND IT IS ONLY A SAMLL GROUP THAT IS UNHAPPY. THIS IS HOW THEY ARE HOPING TO SNEAK THROUGH AND BULID THE SMELTER TO SMELT ALL OF US IN SOBO, VANCE RIVER, VESSIGNY AND UNION.
ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THEIR TRICKERY AGAIN?
4. Alutrint is trying to pass off responsibility for relocation as if it is NEC’s responsibility. IT is NOT! The NEC transferred the certificate of environmental clearance to Alutrint since the beginning of 2008.
Alutrint is legally and soley responsible for everything concerning the smelter whether it is hiring people to build it or settling relocation. So whether it is NEC doing the relocation, or ROW, or people from another planet, Alutrint is still responsible to the residents and is responsible for doing it in accordance with what is in the Plans and requirement of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance. It is not doing this and when the truth comes out it tries to blame the NEC. What kind of people do that sort of thing?
ALUTRINT HAS PROVEN THAT IT CANNOT BE TRUSTED.
DO YOU TRUST ALUTRINT WITH YOUR LIFE?
GET THE FACTS. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
COME OUT AND JOIN OTHER VILLAGERS TO STAND UP TOGETHER.
EITHER THE SMELTER GOES AND RESIDENTS GET REGULARISED OR WE ALL GET RELOCATED
For more information come out to Meetings
Together We Will !!!
LOSS OF VESSIGNY BEACH Fact Sheet distributed by La Brea Concerned Citizens United
DON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN – The Loss of Vessigny and other Beaches FACT!
Our MP, Mr Jefferys sent a flyer around saying that the beach would not be closed because of the ammonia nitrate plant is not being put down at Union.
1. Here is the fact TAKEN FROM Alutrint’s own documents:
In the Annexes of the Social Impact Assessment for the Aluminium Smelter Complex prepared by Foster Solutions for Sustainable Ecosystem Development Ltd are a series of discussions between Government Agencies where the following is recorded:
[29th August, 2005, with Fisheries Division, Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Resources and Consultants]: “Dr. Khan stated that access to the beach adjacent to the industries would be restricted for security reasons. The restricted regions would include a 5km radius from the port and 1km off turning basin... Dr. Khan asked the Fisheries Division if they thought they would be any benefits from the development of the estates... Ms. Forte responded “there are major social impacts such as the loss of the beach”
5km on either side of the Port includes Vessigny Beach , Union Beach, Vance River and some of Guapo Beach. Up the other way it includes from Station Beach all the way up to Point Sabble.
BACK IN 2005 WHEN THEY HELD THE SO CALLED CONSULTATIONS WITH US, THEY KNEW VESSIGNY BEACH WOULD HAVE TO BE CLOSED AND THEY NEVER TOLD US. HERE ARE THE FACTS:
[24th August, 2005, MEETING with Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), NEC and Consultants]: “Dr. Rocke made reference to the destruction of the Clifton Hill Beach and asked if a similar occurrence should be expected at Vessigny Beach. Dr. Khan stated that access to the beach would be restricted and that NEC intends to develop a recreational site in the region”.
Dr. Khan asked the IMA if they though the Union Industrial Estate would be beneficial to the people of the region. They stated that “this would be at the cost of the loss of some of their sources of recreation, for instance the Vessigny Beach”.
[20th September, 2005, with Forestry Division, NEC and Consultants]: Dr. Khan stated...that they also intend to develop the Vessigny Dam to develop it into a recreational facility to compensate for the loss of the beach. Mr. Ramnarine inquired about any loss of beaches. Dr. Khan explained that access to the Vessigny Beach would eventually be cut off and that the extension of Brighton Port would most likely result in loss of the other nearby beach. Dr. Khan stated that it was NEC’s intention to upgrade the Vessigny Dam in order to compensate for these losses.
Mr Ramnarine said that Trinidad is a beach bathing country and that the government taking this away from the people could cause them to become bitter. Dr. Khan stated that this had already taken place.”
We got fooled then. Are we going to allow ourselves to be fooled again?
This smelter is not here because they care about us.
It is here because they do not care about us.
We lost our forest, our gardens, our bees, and our fruit trees. Many of our children are sick from dust and many of us are sick from dust. Many of our houses are cracking and breaking up from and they haven’t even started building the smelter!
We have to give up our beaches too!
Why are they hiding the truth about the beach? Could it be that they are waiting for the smelter to be built first thinking we would not be able to stop it then?
GET THE FACTS. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
COME OUT AND JOIN OTHER VILLAGERS TO STAND UP TOGETHER.
EITHER THE SMELTER GOES AND RESIDENTS GET REGULARISED OR WE ALL GET RELOCATED
For more information come out to Meetings
Together We Will !!!
Our MP, Mr Jefferys sent a flyer around saying that the beach would not be closed because of the ammonia nitrate plant is not being put down at Union.
1. Here is the fact TAKEN FROM Alutrint’s own documents:
In the Annexes of the Social Impact Assessment for the Aluminium Smelter Complex prepared by Foster Solutions for Sustainable Ecosystem Development Ltd are a series of discussions between Government Agencies where the following is recorded:
[29th August, 2005, with Fisheries Division, Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Resources and Consultants]: “Dr. Khan stated that access to the beach adjacent to the industries would be restricted for security reasons. The restricted regions would include a 5km radius from the port and 1km off turning basin... Dr. Khan asked the Fisheries Division if they thought they would be any benefits from the development of the estates... Ms. Forte responded “there are major social impacts such as the loss of the beach”
5km on either side of the Port includes Vessigny Beach , Union Beach, Vance River and some of Guapo Beach. Up the other way it includes from Station Beach all the way up to Point Sabble.
BACK IN 2005 WHEN THEY HELD THE SO CALLED CONSULTATIONS WITH US, THEY KNEW VESSIGNY BEACH WOULD HAVE TO BE CLOSED AND THEY NEVER TOLD US. HERE ARE THE FACTS:
[24th August, 2005, MEETING with Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), NEC and Consultants]: “Dr. Rocke made reference to the destruction of the Clifton Hill Beach and asked if a similar occurrence should be expected at Vessigny Beach. Dr. Khan stated that access to the beach would be restricted and that NEC intends to develop a recreational site in the region”.
Dr. Khan asked the IMA if they though the Union Industrial Estate would be beneficial to the people of the region. They stated that “this would be at the cost of the loss of some of their sources of recreation, for instance the Vessigny Beach”.
[20th September, 2005, with Forestry Division, NEC and Consultants]: Dr. Khan stated...that they also intend to develop the Vessigny Dam to develop it into a recreational facility to compensate for the loss of the beach. Mr. Ramnarine inquired about any loss of beaches. Dr. Khan explained that access to the Vessigny Beach would eventually be cut off and that the extension of Brighton Port would most likely result in loss of the other nearby beach. Dr. Khan stated that it was NEC’s intention to upgrade the Vessigny Dam in order to compensate for these losses.
Mr Ramnarine said that Trinidad is a beach bathing country and that the government taking this away from the people could cause them to become bitter. Dr. Khan stated that this had already taken place.”
We got fooled then. Are we going to allow ourselves to be fooled again?
This smelter is not here because they care about us.
It is here because they do not care about us.
We lost our forest, our gardens, our bees, and our fruit trees. Many of our children are sick from dust and many of us are sick from dust. Many of our houses are cracking and breaking up from and they haven’t even started building the smelter!
We have to give up our beaches too!
Why are they hiding the truth about the beach? Could it be that they are waiting for the smelter to be built first thinking we would not be able to stop it then?
GET THE FACTS. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
COME OUT AND JOIN OTHER VILLAGERS TO STAND UP TOGETHER.
EITHER THE SMELTER GOES AND RESIDENTS GET REGULARISED OR WE ALL GET RELOCATED
For more information come out to Meetings
Together We Will !!!
HEALTH Fact Sheet distributed by La Brea Concerned Citizens United
DON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN – Alutrint Smelter and our Health FACT!
Now here is an important fact. Alutrint was legally required to make a Social Engagement and Implementation Plan (SEIP). In this plan it claims to have a programme to meet regularly with residents.
This plan says that MONTHLY Forums are to be held with the Village Councils and representatives from organisations. It says that “The primary objective ... is to provide regular updates on the Alutrint Project... to obtain feedback from community representatives. This will also facilitate a direct assessment of any environmental and or socio-economic conflicts concerning the proposed project” (page 7 of the SEIP).
The SEIP says that “Public meetings will be held every quarter. These meetings will be publicised via a roving public address system throughout the project affected communities and advertisements in the daily newspapers” (page 10 of the SEIP).
Alutrint has known that we have to be tested for Cancer over one year now – since February 2008. You ever heard about a meeting where this was discussed with our representatives?
Have they told you? Have they told representatives at these Monthly Forums they claim to be having?
Has anyone ever heard of or attended a public quarterly meeting called by Alutrint?
In the news recently Alutrint says that at the right time they will roll out the Plan and its benefits to the community. You joking, right?
So this is a benefit? That they come here and put us at risk for Cancer and other diseases and the benefit is we get to go to a doctor every two years and check if we and our children are getting sick? If this is really benefit, why hasn’t Alutrint run out and told us?
Could it be that they want the smelter built first so we can’t stop it? Then they will leave us here fuh dead and to watch our sick children ten years from now, knowing we did nothing when we had the chance?
GET THE FACTS. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
COME OUT AND JOIN OTHER VILLAGERS TO STAND UP TOGETHER.
EITHER THE SMELTER GOES AND RESIDENTS GET REGULARISED OR WE ALL GET RELOCATED
For more information come out to Meetings
Together We Will !!!
In February 2008, the Caribbean Health Research Council and the International Institute for Healthcare and Human Development prepared a Medical Monitoring Plan (MMP) for the Alutrint Aluminium Smelter Complex. The following is taken directly from Alutrint’s Medical Monitoring Plan:
What will happen to those of us left here to live near the smelter?
The some Four Thousand and Seventy Seven (4,077) people living within two kilometres of the Smelter Complex – residents of Union Village, Vessigny, Vance River and Sobo – in what is termed the ‘Beltline Community’ would have to be tested for Cancer every two years
(page 11 of the MMP).
What is the truth about the technology Alutrint is using?
“It cannot be stated categorically that no adverse outcomes are expected from the pre-bake process. The published literature on cancer studies of pre-bake workers concluded... that the situation is unclear and further follow up with larger numbers of cases would clarify the issue” (page 31 of the MMP)
“Potential primary disease indications usually associated with aluminium smelters with pre-bake technology included: Industrial Asthma, (acute airway obstruction ‘pot room asthma’), Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease/Chronic Bronchitis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Lung and Bladder Cancer” (page 31 of the MMP)
“Workers employed in part of the smelter called “the anode baking process” may also be exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)... There is abundant scientific evidence that chronic exposure to PAHs have the potential to cause cancer in humans”
(page 32 of the MMP).
Let us see what exactly is going to happen to us:
“All Residents of the ‘Beltline Community’ are to be monitored every two years for Pulmonary Function Test, Chest X-Ray, Complete Blood Count, Clinical Chemistries, TB Test, Urine Fluoride Test” (page 58 of the Plan)... “All non-administrative workers to be monitored every six months using the same tests for Beltline Community, plus an “Audiology Test” (page 52 of the MMP)
The following residents are most at risk (page 36 of the MMP):
· Females of child bearing age
· Infants and children in development stages
· Persons diagnosed with pulmonary disease – these are asthma, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, and hay fever
· Persons with specific cancers such as lung and bladder cancer
· The elderly with cognitive disorder
· Persons that smoke
Now here is an important fact. Alutrint was legally required to make a Social Engagement and Implementation Plan (SEIP). In this plan it claims to have a programme to meet regularly with residents.
This plan says that MONTHLY Forums are to be held with the Village Councils and representatives from organisations. It says that “The primary objective ... is to provide regular updates on the Alutrint Project... to obtain feedback from community representatives. This will also facilitate a direct assessment of any environmental and or socio-economic conflicts concerning the proposed project” (page 7 of the SEIP).
The SEIP says that “Public meetings will be held every quarter. These meetings will be publicised via a roving public address system throughout the project affected communities and advertisements in the daily newspapers” (page 10 of the SEIP).
Alutrint has known that we have to be tested for Cancer over one year now – since February 2008. You ever heard about a meeting where this was discussed with our representatives?
Have they told you? Have they told representatives at these Monthly Forums they claim to be having?
Has anyone ever heard of or attended a public quarterly meeting called by Alutrint?
In the news recently Alutrint says that at the right time they will roll out the Plan and its benefits to the community. You joking, right?
So this is a benefit? That they come here and put us at risk for Cancer and other diseases and the benefit is we get to go to a doctor every two years and check if we and our children are getting sick? If this is really benefit, why hasn’t Alutrint run out and told us?
Could it be that they want the smelter built first so we can’t stop it? Then they will leave us here fuh dead and to watch our sick children ten years from now, knowing we did nothing when we had the chance?
GET THE FACTS. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
COME OUT AND JOIN OTHER VILLAGERS TO STAND UP TOGETHER.
EITHER THE SMELTER GOES AND RESIDENTS GET REGULARISED OR WE ALL GET RELOCATED
For more information come out to Meetings
Together We Will !!!
In February 2008, the Caribbean Health Research Council and the International Institute for Healthcare and Human Development prepared a Medical Monitoring Plan (MMP) for the Alutrint Aluminium Smelter Complex. The following is taken directly from Alutrint’s Medical Monitoring Plan:
What will happen to those of us left here to live near the smelter?
The some Four Thousand and Seventy Seven (4,077) people living within two kilometres of the Smelter Complex – residents of Union Village, Vessigny, Vance River and Sobo – in what is termed the ‘Beltline Community’ would have to be tested for Cancer every two years
(page 11 of the MMP).
What is the truth about the technology Alutrint is using?
“It cannot be stated categorically that no adverse outcomes are expected from the pre-bake process. The published literature on cancer studies of pre-bake workers concluded... that the situation is unclear and further follow up with larger numbers of cases would clarify the issue” (page 31 of the MMP)
“Potential primary disease indications usually associated with aluminium smelters with pre-bake technology included: Industrial Asthma, (acute airway obstruction ‘pot room asthma’), Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease/Chronic Bronchitis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Lung and Bladder Cancer” (page 31 of the MMP)
“Workers employed in part of the smelter called “the anode baking process” may also be exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)... There is abundant scientific evidence that chronic exposure to PAHs have the potential to cause cancer in humans”
(page 32 of the MMP).
Let us see what exactly is going to happen to us:
“All Residents of the ‘Beltline Community’ are to be monitored every two years for Pulmonary Function Test, Chest X-Ray, Complete Blood Count, Clinical Chemistries, TB Test, Urine Fluoride Test” (page 58 of the Plan)... “All non-administrative workers to be monitored every six months using the same tests for Beltline Community, plus an “Audiology Test” (page 52 of the MMP)
The following residents are most at risk (page 36 of the MMP):
· Females of child bearing age
· Infants and children in development stages
· Persons diagnosed with pulmonary disease – these are asthma, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, and hay fever
· Persons with specific cancers such as lung and bladder cancer
· The elderly with cognitive disorder
· Persons that smoke
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