War on the smelter

The residents took this follow-up action after they stopped Trintoplan and ALCOA’s agents from conducting geo-physical surveys on Monday.

Yesterday, policemen were called out at the junction of Food Crop Road, when an estimated 60 residents took up strategic positions along the roadside.

Supported by the Chatham/Cap-de-Ville Envrionmental Protection Group, the residents pitched a camp with bamboo sticks and a tarpaulin. A large banner read: “War on Smelter.” Police officers kept a watchful eye on the residents.

Chatham resident, Yvonne Ashby, 75, described the plan to establish the smelter plant as a “criminal act” to destroy the entire south-western peninsula.

“We are not going to let anyone come in here and destroy what has been ours for generations,” she said.

As the residents protested, a vehicle pulled up and a person was seen taking photos of the residents. An angry mob confronted the persons in the vehicle.

Ashby said the residents’ greatest weapon was not burning tyres, sticks and stones, but forming a human barricade against the bulldozers of ALCOA.

“We are not going to allow them to come here and build any smelter plant. We going to stay out here as long as it takes,” the elderly woman said.

She said since the plan to establish the smelter plant was announced, residents were yet to meet with any Government officials, including Public Utilities Minister, Pennelope Beckles or Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

Another resident, Doolin Maraj, reiterated concerns that the smelter plant would polute the Chatham/ Cap de Ville aquatic life.

“When you dig here to put down a simple house foundation, you meeting water. If they going to pile, what are they going to do with all their waste.”

Up to late yesterday, several residents were keeping vigil at the camp site. The residents will air their plight tomorrow at a luncheon held by the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce. On Friday, the residents will commence an eight-day march from Cedros to Port-of-Spain. The march is being planned by the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Rights Association led by Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj.