Different strokes by EMA?

THE EDITOR: Is the EMA an organisation for all people, or is it an organisation where there is one rule for the rich and famous and another for the poor and humble. This organisation swooped down on a couple who are private owners of a piece of land and stopped them from building their home, pending investigations, and this is more than a month ago from my estimation. How long do these officers take to investigate a project, is it forever? Did this organisation have the courtesy to at least communicate with the owners? Are we living in a civilised country or not? Do they know that planning must have taken place before any sod was turned, do they know whether money is being paid on a monthly basis for work not done on the project they have stopped. Is this the same organisation which halted a project in Vale View and in about one week there was a response. They claimed violations and allowed owners to correct violations and continue.

Is this the same organisation which stood up for LNG Train 4 at Point Fortin where so many people complained and continued to complained? I may have no problem with that project, once all avenues are exhausted it is then approved. Are these EMA officers, who work on projects in north more efficient and more skilled than those who work in the south (except for those who worked on the Point Fortin project). Come on EMA, state your claims and allow the people to move on. If you have found violations, ‘state them’ and advise so that work can continue.  If you have found no violations also state that and still advise on continuance. DO not leave the couple hanging in a balance with no word, no advise, nothing! Every day delayed is money lost! I realise there is a help desk in north, probably one should also be set up in the south, because the officers who work in south need help, (I do not know how they dispatch officers), but from my observation somebody needs help in sorting out issues because the organisation can come over as a biased organisation. So come on EMA be objective and do not appear to be an uncaring organisation. NB There are other projects to swoop down upon, check them out, but do not treat them as you have treated the couple. Have some courtesy. This is Trinidad not Iraq.

PATRICK EDWARDS
San Fernando