Update on Smelta Wars 18th September, 2009

Local Newspapers reported that on September 11th, workers on the controversial 760 MW power plant (Trinidad Generation Unlimited) being built on Union Industrial Estate to supply power to the equally controversial Alutrint smelter were locked out by management. The power plant is being built by E Pihl & Sons, (pihl) a Danish company. The job was subcontracted to them by MAN FERROSTAAL (MF), a German Company. MF's majority shareholder is the Government of Abu Dabai.

Locked out workers have pitched two tents outside the entrance to Union Industrial Estate. On the other side of the road is the anti-smelter camp. Earlier in the week, pihl warned workers against illegal industrial action. Workers are demanding better working conditions - including health and safety. According to one worker "within the past two weeks, four people have suffered injuries on the job. The company is saying that what we are doing is illegal, but as long as it is over health and safety issues, we are within our rights to strike,"

There is also concern over National Insurance deductions on their payslips. "We are supposed to be paying $134 a fortnight, but we are paying up to $400 a fortnight,". Workers are also claiming that they are not being paid properly for overtime.

Pihl had warned workers against illegal industrial action, stating that any breach of contract would "result in dismissal". One worker claimed "the project manager said he does not have to listen to our problems". Newspapers reported that pihl's Project Manager, Hansen, could not be reached by the press for comment.

Chinese workers on the adjacent Alutrint smelter were supposed to have downed tools since the June 16th Judgment when the High Court "quashed" Alutrint's Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) issued by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). Chinese workers have expressed frustration to local anti-smelter protestors camped out side.

Over this last week Alutrint has spent a fortune in 'Public-State' funds on public relations, seeking to convince the national population that their smelter poses no health risks (they remain mum on its economic viability). Harriet May-Phillips, (of 'SENES' a Canadian based consulting firm) and author of the very controversial Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HEERA) which formed part of Alutrint's CEC submissions has been on the radio (several stations) every day this week. Alutrint is planning a big fete in La Brea this weekend for the 'community' where rum will flow, noise will make, flags will wave and no doubt many a young man will stumble home in a drunken stupor.

For the record, the EMA hired Jaques Whitford (a consulting firm also from Canada) to perform a supposedly 'independent' review of the HEERA prepared by SENES. Had the EMA bothered to look, they would have found that SENES and JW have a history of close collaboration with each other.

Concerned citizens of Trinidad and Tobago do not accept that JW can with impartiality and neutrality, professionally review the work of of SENES. The internet makes for interesting reading on a paper mill in Canada where these two companies were involved in reviewing each others work.

In any event, the EMA remains at fault for fragmenting and "staggering" the CECs for the smelter, power plant and port facilities. These are essential components of Alutrint's Smelter Complex. An integrated Environmental Impact Assessment should have been carried out for this infrastructure. We the People of Trinidad & Tobago are left with the vexing situation of a 'quashed smelter', a 'striking power plant' and a port still under construction. What a mess! Undeterred however, the 'State' continues to say 'smelta coming'. We are on-the-ground 'playing for change'.

10th July, 2009, the day Manning came to turn sod at Alutrint's Power Plant on Union Industrial Estate

Alutrint's 40% Joint Venture Partner is a Paper Company

Renda Butler

Sural (Barbados) Limited was incorporated by Barbados Attorney Stephen A. Lashley on 16th August, 2006 (Company No. 27588) as an "International Business" under the International Business Companies Act, 1991-24".

The address provided for Sural (Barbados) is that of the registering Attorney, "Sherwood", Strathclyde Crescent, St. Michael, Barbados. There are two appointed Directors with the following 'residential' addresses: Alfredo Riviere Villamizar, President Grupo Sural CA of Calle el Lindero, Cerro Verde, Caracas, Venezuela and Renda Butler of Loefling Plaza, Apartment 15B, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela.

On the day that Alutrint received a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) from the Environmental Management Authority (2nd April, 2007) Renda Butler was the CEO of Alutrint. [Alutrint's current CEO (acting) is Phillip Julien, son of T&T's "energy czar" Ken Julien].

It was Butler's letter dated 28th March, 2007, to the EMA, which had attempted to address stakeholder concerns over 'cumulative impacts' of the port, power plant and smelter complex. A month earlier, on February 27th 2007, in an interview with Trinidad Express, Butler had claimed "that the company has been in the forefront of raising the bar in environmental and social stewardship for new industrialization".

It was the EMA's acceptance of Butler's "raised bar" and failure to take a "hard look" at the cumulative impacts of the port, power plant and smelter complex on human and environmental health, which led Justice Dean Amorer to rule that their decision to award a CEC to Alutrint was "procedurally irregular, irrational and made without regard to relevant consideration".

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.

EMA Appeals Judgement (reported Guardian Newspaper 8th July, 2009)

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has appealed the judgment of Justice Mira Dean-Armorer, which quashed the decision to grant a certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to Alutrint for construction of an aluminium smelter in La Brea.

The notice was filed on Monday against the June 15 judgment. A release issued yesterday by the EMA said, “The EMA through a notice filed on July 6, has appealed against the decision by the EMA to grant a CEC to Alutrint for construction of an aluminium smelter in La Brea.”

The EMA said it was acting independently on behalf of the public by “balancing environmental considerations with economic ones.” It defended its decision to “grant the CEC after thorough and qualified review over a period of more than two years, involving consultation with the public.”

The EMA further stated that it was satisfied it had discharged its statutory duties, took appropriate precautionary measures to prevent serious and irreversible damage to the environment, “and the learned judge erred in reaching her conclusions.”

What the Corporatist PM said after hearing the Alutrint Judgement

The local Guardian Newspaper of 18th June, 2009, reported that in response to questions from reporters on the Judgement by Justice Mira Dean-Amorer to quash the Certificate of Environmental Clearance issued to Alutrint by the Environmental Management Authority, the Prime Minister "insisted that construction on the smelter plant will continue". He gave that "assurance". Asked if the project will stop in the wake of the 'Order', Manning told reporters "The answer to that question is no, it will not stop". He however, admitted "we are looking at analysing exactly what took place in the courts so that we can have a full appreciation of it". Asked again if work on the project was likely to stop as a result of the ruling Manning responded "No, no, no, no, no, no" (six "nos"). The report goes on to say that Manning, the Minister of Energy and Minister emily Dick-Ford maintained that "the project was being established in the best interest of the people of the country and will come to fruition in due course".

Alutrint Pre-Judgement Advertising in local Newspapers

On 3rd June, 2009, in the local Guardian Newspaper, just two weeks before the Judgement by Justice Mira Dean-Amorer on whether the Environmental Management Authority followed due process in granting a Certificate of Environmental Clearance to Alutrint to operate a Smelter Complex in La Brea, Trinidad, Alutrint took out a full page colour advertisement in the local Guardian Newspapers claiming: "The Aluminium vision began decades ago"..."The Birth of an Exciting New Industry"...run by "innovative ioneers"..."manufacturing quality products"..."with a strong thrust and interest from the People's Republic of China"..."promoting the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees"..."while championing community development".

On 16th June, 2009, Judgement Day, Alutrint ran a four page colour advertisement in the local Newsday Newspaper proclaiming:

that La Brea is "on the Move" and a "Corporate Social Response" of "Helping La Brea to Help Themselves, Building a Long-term Sustainable Relationship with the La Brea Community”. Alutrint claims a Primary objective "to assist residents to achieve their own aspirations and ambitions” and asserts that "there is considerable enthusiasm in the community for the smelter project”...Alutrint reassures that they "will continue to make significant contributions to sport and culture” and that "as a result of previous contributions "young athletes like Rondel Sorrito have emerged”.

Alutrint claims to be "one of the first corporate entities to establish a presence in the project affected communities, at least 18 months before the project was fully approved for construction”.

Alutrint says it focuss is "on Public Health" and they are headed "Towards a Healthy Community". With regards to the Medical Monitoring Plan (MMP) Alutrint claims it "is a further commitment to the overall health and wellness of the community”. The MMP will provide a "continuous and confidential free screening”. The MMP "results of testing will stand as both guardian and testament to environmental compliance of modern smelter technology”.

Alutrint claims to be "Poised to Bring Long Term Benefits" through “timely investment” by a "most advanced technology supplier with proven track record to build smallest smelter in this part of the world”... in a position to "make most valuable use of country’s energy resources”... and "create jobs”. Alutrint goes on to claim that it "will be first of many industrial tenants on Union Industrial Estate, with a "Vision for technical and operational support to originate from within our community”. Alutrint promotes itself as "a catalyst to stimulate return of heavy industry to the heartland”.

As far as Opportunities at Work in La Brea, Alutrint claims to be providing “sustainable opportunities” (Josieann Richards - Alutrint's Community Liaison Officer). Josieann confesses that "feedback from La Brea residents is they do not want handouts but a chance to earn their own income and contribute to the future for their children and grand children” and not just from the opportunities provided by Alutrint, "but also many other industrial entities”.

With regards to Technology in Service of the Environment, Alutrint quotes Norwegian Mr. Eric Kuehl, a foremost advisor on the Aluminium smelter process as saying "In Norway we have one fo the highest life expectancies in the world and this applies to the people who work in and live around our Aluminium smelters”. Kuehl beams that in Norway "communities live in harmonious co-existence with smelters”. In fact, he says "people live across the street from smelters...Norway has seven smelters...smelters located in heart of small communities. Kuehl is convinced that "major advances have been made in the efficiency and environmental cleanliness of operations using Chinese designs and standards and "prebake technology is world’s most advanced and proven methods to minimize the potential for unpleasant emissions”.

The advertisement also claims that “Alutrint will use less than 3% of the country’s natural gas production over the next 20 years”.

Announcement: Ritual Burning of Alutrint out of our Lives

A contingent of residents from La Brea will perform a ritual burning at 12:45 p.m. at the foot of the Hall of Justice at Woodford Square just before the decision of the Judicial review is handed down.

Alutrint and the EMA are trafficking in paper – the various plans they have for relocations, social engagement, and the conditions of the CEC etc. are all tricks. On paper they pretend they are doing legal, just, and responsible things – but their actions in La Brea are the very opposite. They are irresponsible, dishonest, and have proven hat they cannot be trusted.

Eric Williams once burned the constitution of Trinidad and Tobago because it was the document that continued the oppression of the people. Today we burn the plans and the newspaper advertisements of Alutrint because these are the documents used to oppress us and steal the lives of our children.

We begin the ritual of burning of Alutrint out of our lives. Text of Ceremony below:

1. We are burning Alutrint’s centre fold newspaper advertisement in the Guardian June 14, 2009 - this is propaganda Alutrint is using against us. The public relations can’t work on us anymore. Your image is nice but your actions are ugly. You can only fool fools.

2. We are burning the CEC which is a criminal document to begin with and is in any case being violated by Alutrint with the help of the EMA. Neither the EMA nor Alutrint would qualify for certificates of character much less to be able to look after people’s environment and health.

3. We are burning the Resident Relocation and Resettlement Plan, which is just on paper. Alutrint has never followed the terms of this plan or conditions in the CEC. The EMA knows this. We sent them complaint letters since last year. They never responded.

4. We are burning the Social Engagement and Intervention Plan – everybody in la Brea knows that Alutrint is lying. It does not talk to our representatives monthly and does not hold public meetings quarterly. It has known for over a year now that we have to be tested for cancer and it never told us.

5. We are burning the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment report prepared by Harriet Philips and fellow mercenaries who took money from Alutrint to downplay the health risk of their smelter and lie to us during the EIA process. The Medical Monitoring Plan which was prepared instead by two reputable International organizations exposes the lies.

6. Never the less, we are burning the Medical Monitoring Plan because we are not lab rats.

7. We are burning the drawing of the planned Alutrint smelter because you only have to come to Vessigny River to see the difference between what they draw there and what they have actually done to the river.

Alutrint brings only destruction. The smelter exists only on paper. We are burning Alutrint out of existence.

This event is safe, legal and will be performed in short time. Come out and join us.Contacts:
A. Carter: 305 7254 and E. Gour – 648-7127