EMA rejects FFOS findings on Atlantic LNG

EVEN as Atlantic LNG operations are blamed for the respiratory and asthmatic problems faced by residents in Pt Fortin, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) maintains otherwise. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, general-secretary of  Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) said that in a test conducted earlier this year, 85 percent of the residents tested, had come down with asthmatic problems within the last year. This he attributed to the operations of Atlantic LNG where the people live. Aboud said he was “obviously dissatisfied”  that Atlantic LNG was allowed to continue the work and likened the situation to a rape of a loved one before another’s eyes. Neil Parsanlal, Corporate Communications Officer at the EMA said the results by the FFOS were “inconclusive. “Responding to the perceived connection between incidence of asthma and respiratory problems by residents to ALNG operations he said, “To say they are  directly linked is not scientific.”     

He said the fact that there were not any studies undertaken before to enable a comparative analysis, makes any connection between ALNG and respiratory problems “medically unsound”  “The EMA cannot operate on these statistics.” Parsanlal added. He added that the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) did not come into effect until July 2001. This came after Trains I to III were completed. “They (ALNG)  must provide a disaster-preparedness plan before starting work there. They must submit these plans to us  for approval.” Parsanlal further said, “ We have imposed standards that are not yet law in Trinidad, we are aiming to set standards.” MP for the area Larry Achong who was present on Tuesday night, sought to clarify that the EMA was doing its job.