Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says despite Highway Re-route Movement leader Dr Wayne Kublalsingh’s continued protest outside the Office of the Prime Minister, the construction of the Debe to Mon Desir leg of the San Fernando to Point Fortin highway will not be stopped. Moonilal made the comment yesterday, even as Kublalsingh ended his seventh day of protest outside the OPM’s office in St Clair.
He said even though Kublalsingh is meeting with various parties to advocate his cause, there would be no change to the Government’s stance on the $7.2 billion highway development. “Dr Kublalsingh and any other citizen has the right to meet with anyone,” he said. “Dr Kublalsingh can meet with any one in his endeavour to advocate but the programme continues and the highway continues.”
He added that yesterday he met with the Highway Committee and he was assured that “in a few days they are going to open the Golconda to Debe leg of the highway and then continue from Debe to Penal.” “The work continued, but also Dr Kublalsingh’s work continues,” Moonilal added. Asked about Kublalsingh’s intention to meet with Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, Moonilal said: “That is the nature of democracy and freedom.”
Kublalsingh and his group have been protesting outside the OPM since Nidco recently indicated its intention to order the contractors to resume work on the disputed leg of the highway.