Smelter symposium joke

“Government has looked very carefully at the situation and believes the time has come to make some kind of positive intervention to ensure that the situation is clarified in the public domain.”

The PM went on to say that the Government has decided to ensure the public is properly informed in a forum that discusses the issue dispassionately. After which there would be a debate in Parliament.

The South Chamber of Com-merce now says that 350 persons could attend the symposium but by invitation only. Who is the person making up the “guest list” and what could possibly be the criteria for getting “picked” for this all inclusive?

The Keith Noel 136 Commit-tee, through its referendum earlier this year, got just under 50,000 respondents saying that for major projects (such as the construction of a smelter plant) there should be full disclosure before any decision is made. A select group of 350 persons does not, by any means, represent full disclosure and transparency.

The taxpayers of Trinidad and Tobago have not been made aware of the simple fact that Alcoa, Australia is being subsidised to the tune of $AUS 100 million per annum until 2016 by the State of Victoria. This begs the question — what else is not being made public?

YEStt is totally against the development of any aluminium smelter industry in Trinidad and Tobago. We must explore other options of development which would ensure sustainability for our country.

STEPHEN CADIZ

YEStt