We won't stop smelter: PM Manning

Prime Minister Patrick Manning told reporters Wednesday he has no plans to stop construction of a smelter plant in south Trinidad despite a High Court judgment that halts the project on the basis of an inadequate environmental assessment.

High Court Judge Mira Dean-Armorer on Tuesday made an order quashing the Environment Management Authority’s (EMA) certificate of environmental clearance, which was issued to Alutrint for the project on April 2, last year.

Read the story: T&T court stops smelter...

Reporters raised the smelter issue with Manning during a tour of the Tucker Valley mega farm in Chaguaramas. He made a brief response: “The answer to that is no, it will not stop.”

Manning said he discussed the matter with Energy Minister Conrad Enill for hours on Tuesday night and said he is studying the court's ruling.

“We are looking at analysing exactly what took place in the courts so that we can have a full appreciation of it.”

The government insists that despite concerns of environmentalists the smelter project is is in the best interest of the people of the country. It says it is not giving up on the project.

One commentator told the Trinidad Guardian: "Mr Manning's arrogance is despicable. He does not care whether the citizens of La Brea develop any illnesses from the plant like in other countries. One minute he is talking about first world status and the next minute he behaves like a banana republic dictator. there is no stopping of anything in Trinidad especially the crime."

Another said, "All that Manning cares about is his ego, big tall buildings and all those "projects" that would fill the pockets of his partners and make him look good to the outside world."

Several environmentalists, including Dr Wayne Kublalsingh, have commented on the matter since the ruling. Read Dr Kublalsingh's views in the commentary below.