We want smelter plant in Cedros
THE EDITOR: I notice that there is growing opposition against the plan to build an ALCOA aluminium smelter in the Cedros area. The recent consultation brought a lot of people from outside the area trying to stop the project and I would really like to know what are their true feelings towards this part of the country. How come they only visit when it is time to stop something and you cannot see them when we want assistance to start something. Many people in the area have been poor and unemployed for a long while. If you drive through the area from La Brea come right down, you will see that this is not a rich neighbourhood. I believe that the coming of ALCOA and the industrial estate in La Brea can make a difference to our lives just like Pt Lisas did for central Trinidad. I do not hear any protests about the companies in Pt Lisas and I am sure there is endless pollution and environmental damage up there. The trees by the cement factory in Claxton Bay have turned brown but nobody is protesting. Why is no one protesting about pollution around Couva and Chaguanas and the heavy traffic jams all over that part of the country? As soon as someone talks about plans to develop the deep south, you get all kinds of protests. People coming from all over Trinidad to tell us not to develop industries and to continue with agriculture and fishing. So while people in central Trinidad are learning about computers and modern technology, we in Chatham and La Brea must continue to sell mango for a living. I would like to know how many of these outsiders make a living from agriculture. I am sure that many of them are gainfully employed in other activities. How come they are not protesting the destruction of the hillsides in north Trinidad especially in places around Westmoorings. Is it that there is one rule for those in the north and central Trinidad and another for those of us in south? I have been told that one of the most fertile regions for agriculture is in the Diego Martin valley and I am waiting to see someone protest the big housing construction that is taking place there. If the people in central Trinidad do not have a problem with a large industrial estate on their doorstep then we in the south also do not have a problem. Build the aluminium smelter but make sure that we get the jobs this time and that another group of outsiders do not come in to take these away as well. K CUNNINGHAM Cap-de-Ville
Comments
"We want smelter plant in Cedros"