EMA slaps ‘Order of Violation’ on paving company

AFTER several weeks of investigations by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) into reports of a commercial development project being started adjacent to the protected Oropouche wetlands in South Trinidad, the Authority yesterday slapped an “Order of Violation,” on southern developer/contractor Carib As-phalt Pavers Limited.

The order, which was served at the company’s Cross Crossing headquarters, was received by the company’s operations manager, Shaffick Mohammed. According to the EMA’s communications officer, Kirk Jean-Baptiste, the order was issued after investigators had determined that several land protection and environmental laws were breached by the contractor. This included the construction of a heavy industrial facility next to the nesting grounds of a protected bird species. Jean-Baptiste said the Authority was also concerned that a bitumen and cement plant was going to be built in close proximity to Petrotrin’s oil transmission lines. He also pointed to another alleged discrepancy in the company’s project, saying investigators had also determined, by using computer and satellite positioning models, that the total acreage under development was 7.2 hectares. He said the company had failed to apply for a Certificate of Clearance (COC), for development of lands over one hectare in size.

However, Jean-Baptiste said that the order, while not putting an “immediate halt” to the company’s activities, gave the contractor two weeks to come into the EMA’s offices to discuss the issue. “We are asking that Carib Asphalt Pavers come in and discuss the issue with, not only us, but the owners of the lands, Caroni (1975) Limited, as well as Petrotrin,” Jean-Baptiste said. And, if the contractor fails to meet the two-week deadline for meeting with the EMA, Jean-Baptiste said the Authority would then procure an “Administrative Order” which would effectively cause all activities at the site to come to a “grinding halt.” However, Jean-Baptiste reiterated that the EMA was not against sustainable development projects, but added that construction works should have an “environment-friendly” policy. Efforts to contact management officials at Carib Asphalt Pavers yesterday proved futile.