Activist and member of the Highway Re-route Movement Rosanna Farmer says if Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar continues to ignore questions posed to her, the movement is prepared to intensify its actions.
For nearly two full weeks, the movement, led by environmentalist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh, has been demanding that Persad-Bissessar answer whether or not she will abide by the findings of the Dr Armstrong report, which has given recommendations on the Debe to Mon Desir section of the extension of the Solomon Hochoy Highway. They are also asking Persad-Bissessar if she would await the conclusion of the court matter over the same section of highway before giving the contractors the clearance to begin work.
While the group met with Persad-Bissessar on August 8 at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, she could not provide them with the answers to these questions. The PM instead told the members of the movement she had to consult with Nidco, but that its president, Dr Carson Charles, was away.
In an interview opposite the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair yesterday, where Kublalsingh continued his protest, Farmer said she was under the impression that Persad-Bissessar would have wanted to abide by the findings of the Armstrong report. “It is a valuable document, created by independent scientists, and I think that is important for the country,” she said.
She said she was hoping that the Prime Minister was trying to figure out the best way to answer questions and had not just brushed aside their issues. “We had the understanding that she would get back to us once she could confer with Dr Charles...I got the feeling that she could not answer our questions,” she said.
Farmer said she believed the public felt a sense of confusion because the leaders of the nation were making it seem as though the re-route movement wanted to stop progress. “When the leaders are speaking and saying the HRM wants to stop the highway, people tend to believe that,” she said. “All we are asking is that the PM abide by the findings of the Armstrong report, which means that she do all the necessary tests and fulfil the requirements and meet all standards set by the report.
“Everybody needs to understand that if it was their land, they want proof that it is the best possible option. Show us proof that you need to destroy this lagoon.” Apart from the environmental issues with the construction of the Debe to Mon Desir leg of the highway, the movement is also questioning why it is necessary to disrupt the lives of more than 200 families. Meanwhile, a planned meeting on the matter scheduled for City Hall today has been postponed.