By Paras Ramoutar, IANS
Port of Spain : Fresh protests have erupted against a proposed Essar Steel Plant in Trinidad and Tobago, but the company insists that residents need not fear for their health on account of the project.
The local community has resumed its campaign against the $1.2 billion Indian-owned plant following an announcement last week by Minister of Energy Conrad Enill that the plant will be built despite earlier protests.
Hundreds of villagers from the Pranz Garden Community here took part in a five-mile march Saturday against what they said was the government’s insensitivity to the health and environmental concerns of over 1,500 residents.
Activists from the Rights Action Group (RAG) led by Norris Deonarine told the media that people were being virtually forced to move out of their area where they have lived for years.
“Essar has moved in here and is displacing residents because this steel mill will be built close to their homes,” Deonarine said.
“We want to let the government know that we will not remain silent on this issue and we will ensure that our protests are heard,” he added.
Environmentalist John Stollmeyer said he participated in the march to highlight the urgency for environmental protection.
“Industrialisation is a dead end. We need to plant more trees and cultivate edibles, because if we don’t, we will head for an environmental disaster,” he pointed out.
The Essar Steel Plant is expected to provide thousands of jobs during construction, followed by hundreds of full-time jobs after completion.
An Essar spokesman said the proposed plant met all local and international environmental standards and residents need not fear for their health, safety or environment.