food and fuel forum

GOUR CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY AGAINST LA BREA SMELTER!

Elijah Gour, one of the leaders of the struggle against the Alutrint aluminium smelter in La Brea, gave Food and Fuel Forum an overview of the struggle since 2004. This was done after the June 16th ruling by Justice Mira Dean-Amorer which quashed the certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) granted by the Environmental Management Authority, deeming it “procedurally irregular” and “irrational”. For more information on the judge’s ruling see drummit2summit.blogspot.com.

Elijah said: “Sometime around the Easter weekend in 2004 National Gas Company (that was before NEC, who is now responsible, was formed) started clearing the lands. People did not take them on seriously because in their Public Consultation they said that you would see equipment going in but that was for well works. However, when the community saw the amount of lands being cleared it raised some concern and a protest was led by myself and the villagers of Union and Vessigny to stop the clearing until some questions were answered.

We were successful in stopping the works for a while and had a meeting in the Old Vessigny High School. Questions were asked about the Smelter but NGC (Mr. Prakash Saith) said they are only about clearing land for industries as mandated by the Government and knew nothing about the Smelter and that anyone who wishes to set up any Industry on the site would have to apply to the EMA for clearance.

Well, they went on clearing the land in spite of complaints by the residents. One thing to note, though, was that the then MP for the area Mr. Bereaux said that they will provide jobs for the area and uplift the status of La Brea. A huge number of people who protested before took a back seat now that jobs were promised and also because they did not want to look bad because of their political link.

The land was cleared and ALCOA came in to have Public Consultation to build a Smelter. They were met with some resistance but they did not persist because they thought the area was too small to build a smelter the size they wanted and also it was too close to residences. They were directed to Chatham instead.

The fight with Chatham began and while that was going on NEC (which was now formed to handle the development of land for industrialisation) together with Sural (a company from Venezuela) formed Alutrint and applied for a CEC to build a Smelter.

Alutrint began their Public Consultation but while this was going on they also began to buy the people of La Brea. They sponsored every organization that wanted assistance. From all-fours team to football. From Drama to Steelband, even church groups. You name it and they will support you.

Despite a group of residents who protested against the Smelter they went ahead. Ten days and work gangs were used to support the smelter and if they refused they would not be employed. They would be paid their days' work to go to functions and PNM supporters from outside of La Brea would be used to catch media attention.

While all this was going on the case was filed in court. We now know the result. What led to the recent protest even before the court ruling was two issues. Some people in the Buffer zone who had to be relocated were being treated unfairly and also jobs that were promised did not seem to be a reality. Another issue that presented itself was the Medical Monitoring Plan that was not brought to the public’s attention by Alutrint. They knew about this since February 2008 and kept it away from the public.

This now added fuel to the fire because the deleterious effects of the Smelter that the Anti Smelter Activists were preaching all along were confirmed. People who wanted the Smelter now realized that they would have to be tested for cancer every two years and that goes for children also.

Additionally, if you are working in the Smelter Plant you would have to be tested every six months. People are asking; why be tested if it is safe? We have had several people who admitted they wanted the Smelter coming and saying they regret that decision now. The battle goes on because as you are aware the Prime Minister says he is going ahead. The PNM groups are mobilizing supporters from areas that do not have to be tested and who are afraid of losing their CEPEP or Ten Days job to say they want the Smelter.

WE ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO BE TESTED. THE FOUR THOUSAND PLUS FROM SOBO, VESSIGNY, UNION AND VANCE RIVER WHOSE LIVES ARE AT RISK.

THE SMELTER MUST GO AND SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIES THAT WILL PROVIDE JOBS FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LA BREA WITHOUT ANY HEALTH OR ENVIRONMENTAL RISK WILL BE WELCOME.”

Elijah assured Food and Fuel Forum that the struggle against the smelter would continue because it was clear that the government was determined to build it despite the growing outcry against it across the country. He appealed for concrete solidarity with the anti-smelter camp at La Brea by all who were against the smelter.