Highway re-route movement changes plan, decides to plant crops on land earmarked for highway

Planting the land to block construction of the Point Fortin highway (Express photo)

Wayne Kublalsingh's highway re-route movement has changed its tactics to try to prevent the works ministry from building the Debe/Mon Desir section of the highway to Point Fortin.

Last month Kublalsingh and some activists blocked heavy construction equipment at the site, halting work for several hours.

On Monday they decided to plant crops on the land designated for the construction of the highway. It's a similar strategy that Kublalsingh used to fight against the construction of a chemical plant in central Trinidad.

Kublalsingh spoke with the media about the protest, saying about 50 people are supporting the move.

"We planted the land that was taken by the State to start the Debe to Mon Desir segment of the highway where they graded down about three acres of land...we went onto the land and we used tractors and ploughed it and we began to plant. We planted a number of crops," he said.

He said the group planted short term crops such as tomatoes, lettuce and pumpking as we as tree crops.

No one interfered with what they were doing, which appeared to offend Kublalsingh. "That is fine by us," he told reporters who were there.

Commenting on the matter Monday Housing and Environment Minister Roodal Moonilal said technocrats are still cosniering whether it is feasible to change the route of the highway.

Moonilal denied claims by Kublalsingh that the government had "slammed the door" on concerns raised by the affected residents.

He said, “My information is that the Ministry of Works and the people who are objecting to the highway are engaged in talks, and we are now looking at the technical issues surrounding the new proposals.”

Moonilal suggested that everyone would be happy "once we can sort out the technical issues". He stated that in the meantime contractors are continuing to build the highway from the Point Fortin end as well as Phase One from Golconda to Debe.

“They are doing this while they look at the technical aspects of the adjustments to the highway. There is no immediate problem right now,” Moonilal said.

Moonilal said while he accepts that people have a right to protest, Government has an obligation to carefully explore all options and technical details before arriving at a decision.