You will get your smelter, Manning promises supporters in Point Fortin

Patrick Manning told supporters of his People's National Movement (PNM) in Point Fortin Monday night the government is not backing down on its plans to build an aluminium smelter plant at La Brea.

And he pledged that his government will also build several other plants at the controversial La Brea Union Industrial Estate.

"And you all will live to see not only aluminium smelter in La Brea and Point Fortin but LNG expansion and more industrial plants located in this part of the country and that is the policy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago," Manning announced.

In July a high court granted an order quashing the decision of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to issue a certificate of environmental clearance on April 2, 2007, to Alutrint, the developer.

“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,” the judge wrote.

The decision means that the EMA must go over the entire process for the construction of the smelter plant.

Read the story: Court stops $b smelter

The EMA has appealed the court's ruling and a hearing is scheduled for September.

Manning said despite opposition from environmental groups, residents, and the High Court he will build the plant.

"You are going to be home to the first aluminium smelter in Trinidad and Tobago. And those who are against it will tell you that it is not that they are opposed to the smelter, but to the whole concept of industrialisation on the whole," the PNM leader declared.

"As we industrialise it is not possible to industrialise without adversely affecting the environment, but the PNM says that is not so, because there are international standards established to determine the levels of emission of one kind or the next that are acceptable which will allow human beings to coexist," he said.

He assured his supporters that his government cares about the environment.

"Sustainable development is what we are all about and while we use the environment we must use it and ensure that we must not prejudice the environment for generations to come."