Cunupia batching plant dismantled

This is in keeping with a court order according to the Concerned Residents of Cunupia (CROC) who had objected to the construction of the plant from its inception due to health and environmental concerns.

“This decision and subsequent removal of the plant should serve as an inspiration to all of Trinidad and Tobago to stand firm and stand up for your rights in the face of all challenges,” CROC secretary Ramdath Ramcharitar said on Thursday.

“Good sense must prevail in all public office decisions and laws need to be upheld, not overlooked for the interests of a few,” he said.

The removal of the batching plant was in compliance with the order of Justice Mira Dean-Amorer in the matter between Pundit Rameshwar Maharaj and CROC versus the Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Ramcharitar said that the plant’s removal brings to a close a fiveyear battle with the regulatory agencies that regularised the status of the plant. He noted, however, that CROC was still waiting on the Court of Appeal’s decision in the matter versus the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

Prior to moving to the courts, CROC had sought the assistance of the former People’s Partnership government and the relevant State agencies to stop the operations of the batching and stone crushing plant.