In an article in the Sunday Express of May 19, 2019, NIDCO was said to have stated, “that it will not start any project like the proposed Toco port without due diligence, and this area remains the appropriate location for the port”. I have repeatedly explored the coastline between the Toco Lighthouse and Mission Beach, so the area which is to be impacted, if this facility were to be constructed, is not unfamiliar to me.
However, on account of my previous experiences, I often become very concerned by what some government and state agency officials really mean, when they use the terms due diligence and consultation. In June of 2000, I was present at the Toco Regional Complex, at what was advertised as the first public consultation. We the villagers who attended, were astonished to see and hear the details of the plans for the Toco Port, which were already thoroughly advanced.
It was quite evident to most of us, that the developers had concluded in their minds, that there was no need for them to have any genuine consultation with us the residents and other stakeholders. The prevailing attitude seemed to be, that they were dealing with a bunch of simple-minded people, who were unworthy of being engaged in any such discussions. It also appeared that having concluded thus, they took it upon themselves to determine what was best for our community, with the expectation that we would have dutifully, mindlessly and unquestioningly rubber-stamped our approval of the project.
Even back then it was clear to me, that no due diligence had been conducted; for if such was the case, the developers would not have displayed plans which showed the intended construction of a massive oil storage tank, on the northern side of the Toco Regional Complex because they would have known that it is where the Toco Public Cemetery is situated. Even a superficial inspection of that site, would have indicated its total unsuitability, due to the topography.
Furthermore, they would not have earmarked the land, immediately to the south of the Toco Anglican Church and School for future development because they would have been aware that it is the location of the Anglican Cemetery, where incidentally, my mother had been buried just some days before. Due diligence would also have caused the developers to recognize that by seeking to displace all of the residents between Mission Village and the Toco Lighthouse, they were embarking upon a very ill-conceived plan - particularly when one considers that the developers themselves, had absolutely no idea as to where the displaced persons were to be relocated.
Here we are twenty years later and it is again crystal clear, that the required due diligence has not been done. The current developers being mindful of the overwhelming opposition which those in 2000 received, have been marketing this latest incarnation of the port, as one where there would be no need to displace anyone from their homes. That statement alone shows that they have not done their homework because anyone who is familiar with, or who embarks upon an inspection of the area, would recognize that a project of this magnitude requires a substantial acreage of land, on which to store the heavy equipment and the massive volumes of material that would be required. It would therefore necessitate, the acquisition of several properties for this purpose. Even if that were true, the fact that the proposal is to now to construct the project off the coastline, does not make the proposition any more palatable, or any less offensive.
If any due diligence had been conducted, before the Terms of Reference had been published, NIDCO would have been alerted to the fact, that the Grand L’Anse reef and the Salybia reef, together contain more than 225 identified marine species, according to Dr. Dawn Phillip (now deceased) and Dr. Stanton Belford, two researchers who have studied both reefs extensively. They would therefore have avoided publication of the misleading statement, which claims that the area where they plan to build the port, does not possess any critical habitat.
The beach at Mission Village is the point from which T&TEC’s submarine electricity cables were laid to Tobago. There is a large sign on the beach facing seaward that says, ‘WARNING LIVE 33,000 VOLTS UNDERSEA CABLES NO ANCHORING NO TRAWLING. Two of the essential components of the Toco Port project would be dredging and pile-driving. Even if this facility could be constructed without damaging these cables, it would be the first port in the world where anchoring is strictly prohibited.
Sometime last year, a newspaper article sought to convey the impression, that the cables were laid along a somewhat north-westerly path, before they headed in a north-easterly direction to Tobago. As someone who has witnessed the cable laying operations on at least two occasions, I can say without fear of contradiction, that this is incorrect. The above are just some examples of what could have been learned, if NIDCO had engaged in due diligence and undertaken meaningful consultation with the residents and other stakeholders.
According to the plans that have been published, the car-park is to be situated on the seaward side of the facility. From the vantage point of my home, I have frequently witnessed the bewildering power of the sea, as it pounded our shoreline - sometimes for periods of days, weeks or even months - interspersed by only a few brief periods of relative calm. There are numerous persons who can bear witness to the fact, that on such occasions, the sea has sometimes flooded the Paria Main Road, in the vicinity of where T&TEC's submarine cable crosses the roadway, on the way to Tobago. If after all due deliberations, the green light is still given to the project, NIDCO would be well advised to change the location of the car park.
If this port were to be constructed, the westernmost tip of the jetty would be situated to the north of the Toco Roman Catholic Church. This construction, along with the dredging which is scheduled to be undertaken within the port's basin, is likely to have the effect of eroding the entire expanse of sand at Mission Beach. An occurrence of this nature, would most likely necessitate the type of construction work, which was recently undertaken at Mosquito Creek. This is also a beach where turtles lay their eggs and I can personally attest to beauty and the awe of having seen hundreds of newly hatched turtles, as they headed out to the sea.
Along the north coast of Trinidad, the current normally flows from east to west, while the waves are generated by the north-easterly winds. Grand L’Anse Bay is situated not far from the north-eastern point. It is not irrational to conclude that any pollution which is generated at this facility, could rapidly spread along the entire coastline - as the contaminants would be ably assisted by these powerful forces of nature.
When it comes to the building of a port of this size and type in Toco, my primary concerns are, that the petrochemical pollution which is inevitable, would completely destroy the fishing industry - and that the recreation which is enjoyed by the thousands of persons who utilize Las Cuevas, Maracas and Macqueripe Bays, could become a thing of the past. This is not fear-mongering, I am merely relating my concerns based on the observations, that I have had the privilege to make.
As a concerned citizen, I am appealing to each persons who has decision-making authority regarding the proposed Toco Port, to please engage in the requisite level of due diligence, before making a final determination about this project. It has the potential to cause severe and irreversible environmental degradation to our marine environment and our social fabric - and could end up becoming a costly white elephant and a never ending eye sore.
I am entirely in agreement with Dr. Stanton Belford, who has stated that the construction of the proposed billion-dollar port in Toco, will completely destroy the bio-diverse Grand L’Anse reef. It is rather unfortunate that NIDCO's Chairman Mr. Herbert George, chose to trivialize Dr. Belford's statement, by referring to it as being, “alarmist and without factual basis.” In the case of Mr. Arun Buch, I suppose that it serves his financial purpose to keep repeating the inaccuracy that, “Toco Bay cannot be said to possess any critical habitat.” Only someone who is entirely unfamiliar with the Grand L’Anse Bay or who has a personal agenda, would keep making such a ridiculously incorrect statement because it shows either, that one has not conducted the research that should have performed - or that one is deliberately seeking to misinform the public.
Recently word has been making the rounds, of a plan to construct a second port facility in the vicinity of Cecil’s Island - once the green light has been received, to go ahead at Grand L’Anse Bay. The purpose of the second facility it is said, would be for the loading of oil tankers, with the crude oil that is produced from the fields off the east coast. Despite questions being asked, no official of NIDCO or any other state agency has ever to my knowledge, made any clear and unequivocal public statement on this issue.
Chronic neglect, contemptuous disregard, insensitivity and unbridled arrogance, are the hallmarks that have characterized the treatment that is frequently meted out to the people of the Matelot to Matura area, by officials of many government departments and state agencies. This, unfortunately, has been an unpleasant reality, throughout the successive political administrations of at least, the last three decades.
I first became aware that another attempt was being made, to build a port in Toco, a few days before the closing date, for public submissions on the Draft Terms of Reference. When I went to the Toco Regional Complex to review the documents, I was told that I could not photocopy them, nor was I allowed to take any photographs. This set off an alarm bell in my head because it caused me to wonder what about this project was so sensitive, that they did not want the widest possible circulation of the facts. I believe that I now know the reason.
As a result of the observations that I had made between April and the end of November 2019, it dawned upon me that many of the questions for which answers were required, remained unanswered. The last consultation was scheduled for December 16th. I then decided to send an email to Mr. Devon Rampersad, NIDCO’s Project Manager. On December 3rd, I emailed Mr. Rampersad a letter, the text of which is as follows.
”In April of this year, I attended the consultation that was held at the Toco Regional Complex, concerning the Toco Port. I distinctly remember, that although the members of the panel were courteous in their interactions with the audience, they were unable to adequately address a considerable number of the questions, that were raised by the residents and other stakeholders.
Despite the professionalism of the staff of ERM and the apparent sincerity of their intentions, when one considers the enormity of the project, that is an unacceptable state of affairs. In order to avoid this type of disappointment, which unfortunately has become the norm for meetings of this kind in the Toco district, I believe that it would be prudent to make the strongest possible representations, to the appropriate Government Departments, in order to secure the attendance of certain specific officials, who have decision-making authority.
Some of the persons whose attendance would be critically important if the consultation is to be meaningful are; the Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Works & Transport; the Ministry of Agriculture, Land & Fisheries; the Ministry of Labour; the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Ministry of Rural Development & Local Government - along with Arun Buch & Associates and the heads of department at WASA and T&TEC.
When one considers that the Toco Port project is definitely going to cost billions of dollars; it is certainly not unreasonable to expect, that this particular consultation should be attended by the above-mentioned persons. The importance of this cannot be overstated because they are the persons who have the required expertise and the authority, to answer pertinent questions, to alleviate fears and to give assurances to the residents and other stakeholders.”
Mr. Rampersad replied to me stating in part - The following are the government agencies who have been invited to attend the consultation:
· The Ministry of Works and Transport
· The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
· The Ministry of Planning and Development
· The Ministry of Tourism
· The Honourable Member of Parliament for Toco Sangre Grande
· The Sangre Grande Regional Corporation
· The Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
· The Occupational Safety and Health Agency
· The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard
· The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management
· Town and Country Planning Division
· The Institute of Marine Affairs
· The Meteorological Office of Trinidad and Tobago
· The Water and Sewerage Authority
· Water Resources Agency
· The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries
· The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service
· The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission
This response I found to be very condescending but I attended the consultation, nevertheless. It is noteworthy that no personnel from any of the above mentioned departments showed up. I still cannot believe that it is impossible to get government and state agency officials to present themselves for questioning, with respect to a government project, where over seven billion dollars are to be spent. If that is indeed our reality, then that fact alone should be the subject of an official inquiry.
It would be incorrect to say, that the majority of the residents and other stakeholders of Toco, do not want any type of development, whatsoever - we most certainly do. We are however, very mindful of the fact that this project is more likely than not, to bring about widespread and irreversible environmental degradation, social decay and even worse. What Toco needs now - and has needed for a very long time, is the type of development projects, that are in harmony with our natural environment. Toco does not need a port and it would be a shame, if one were to be imposed upon it - particularly by a political administration, which had been so vehemently opposed to the idea back in the year 2000.
Respectfully submitted,
Samuel Thornhill,
Resident.