Despite nearly four hours of intense discussions between Government and members of civil society organisations, the controversial Debe to Mon Desir section of the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway will go on. And there is also no need for mediation, Works Minister Surujrattan Rambachan said yesterday.
The meeting, which was chaired by Rambachan, also included Minister in the Ministry of Works Stacy Roopnarine, head of the National Infrastructure Development Company of T&T (Nidco) Dr Carson Charles and Doolar Ramlal, director of health and safety in the Works Ministry. It was held at the ministry’s head office at Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain.
Initially, some 29 civil society groups had supported the Highway Re-Route Movement (HRM) in its call for mediation and further dialogue but that figure has now grown to 41. The specific areas of concern raised by the groups in a letter were:
1. That Government properly considers the Armstrong report and recommendations.
2. That Government give serious consideration to the new proposal by the HRM as an alternative to the construction of the Debe to Mon Desir Highway.
3. All further work be halted on the Debe to Mon Desir Highway only but work could proceed apace on the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway.
At the start of yesterday’s meeting, Rambachan made it clear the matter was before the court and was therefore subjudice. Paula Lucie-Smith, founder of the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA), said civil society groups were not technical experts and as such they could not assess any particular aspect of the Armstrong Report and were also unable to pronounce on the optimum connectivity proposal which the HRM wanted implemented as an alternative route.
“Our concern as civil society is the process and this will help us to be able to live together in our communities. We are not here to discuss the merits or demerits of any particular roadway system,” Lucie-Smith said. There were tense moments during the meeting, as Rambachan pressed civil society members to state exactly what they wanted, noting they kept repeating they were not technical experts and could make no pronouncements.
“I came with the technical team and I made it very clear those are the three points to discuss and they came to say that’s not what they want,” Rambachan said. “They want to discuss the process... the process about what? The highway or about general development and there was no clear answer with regard to that also but I had a duty to meet with them. “I don’t see the need for mediation. What I see is civil society asking three particular questions and we came to respond.”
Charles, in referring to the Armstrong Report, said there was never an agreement on Nidco’s part to abide by it. He said it was the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) which decided to publish the report and make public statements on the issue. Political leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah, who was also present, said another step was needed, as there were different judgments on technical issues which required determination to the satisfaction of the country.
But some civil society representatives also described yesterday’s meeting as a “charade”, adding that they were forced to listen to a presentation from the Government on the merits of its objectives.
Hunger strike continues
Contacted yesterday, HRM leader Dr Wayne Kublalsingh said he would not budge from his hunger strike as nothing solid or meaningful has been offered by Government. The environmentalist also reiterated his call for mediation.
Saying he was not disappointed at the outcome of yesterday’s meeting between the Government and civil society bodies, Kublalsingh said he was still hopeful an alternative route would be taken into consideration. He also maintained that wetlands would be adversely affected by Government’s plan. “Our position is the Prime Minister has promised to put it on hold and review it. She is yet to do that and so the strike continues,” Kublalsingh said.