Environmental activist and head of the Highway Re-Route Movement (HRM) Dr Wayne Kublalsingh has promised to suspend his hunger strike for seven days if there is any headway in his request for an open meeting with the Government over the Debe to Mon Desir leg of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.
Speaking with the Sunday Guardian yesterday, Kublalsingh explained that if the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco) agrees to hold the meeting with government officials, HRM and mediators present, he will suspend his hunger strike, which is now over the 100-day mark.
“In order to take the process forward, with mediators present and if they agree to halt work at the Debe/Mon Desir section for seven days for a chance for mediation to go forward, I will suspend my action.” Kublalsingh said Nidco chairman Dr Carson Charles had invited the HRM to a meeting this week to discuss his (Kublalsingh’s) Optimum Connectivity Proposal, but added that he will not attend unless the Government agrees to have mediators present.
“Also, if Dr Charles can give the assurance that the meeting has the support of the Government,” he said. Kublalsingh added that in the meantime, Charles said he will be given the Dr Rae Furlounge report in response to the HRM’s Optimum Connectivity Proposal. “We will accept it (Furlounge report) and will be studying it,” he said.
The Optimum Connectivity Proposal aims to change the highway segment that would connect the Debe and Mon Desir communities to a series of alternate routes connecting to the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway. Kublalsingh started his hunger strike last year in protest over Government refusal to alter the Debe to Mon Desir leg of the highway. He is arguing that the current route will cause major damage to the environment and dislocate scores of families.
In a letter on Friday, political activist Ravi Maharaj, who launched a short counter strike in support of the highway before aborting after falling ill last year, asked Charles to be allowed to attend any meeting between the HRM and Nidco.