No decision made on Goat Islands transhipment hub, junior minister reiterates
‘There are many other areas that could house a port’
Thursday, October 03, 2013 | 9:43 AM
MONTEGO BAY, St James -- The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change on Wednesday sought to play down concerns that Goat Islands in the protected Portland Bight could become home to a transhipment hub.
Addressing members of the media after the opening of the GLOC-2 conference being held in Montego Bay, junior minister Ian Hayles said no such decision has been made adding that “all options are on the table”.
What those options were, he did not make clear.
When pressed, Hayles said that there were “many areas across the island” that could house such a port, but didn’t name any.
“There has been a lot of talk out there, but as a government, we have not got any formal request. It’s been all just speculating and the level of speculation has caused us somewhat to be looking at all options. All options remain on the table,” he said.
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the government body responsible for spatial planning and environment projects, which was represented at the GLOC-2 conference, also tried to avoid the subject.
GLOC-2, an international conference on Land /Ocean connections continues at the Hilton Rose Hall in Montego Bay until Friday.
--Kimone Thomas
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2gfgP7j41
‘There are many other areas that could house a port’
Thursday, October 03, 2013 | 9:43 AM
MONTEGO BAY, St James -- The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change on Wednesday sought to play down concerns that Goat Islands in the protected Portland Bight could become home to a transhipment hub.
Addressing members of the media after the opening of the GLOC-2 conference being held in Montego Bay, junior minister Ian Hayles said no such decision has been made adding that “all options are on the table”.
What those options were, he did not make clear.
When pressed, Hayles said that there were “many areas across the island” that could house such a port, but didn’t name any.
“There has been a lot of talk out there, but as a government, we have not got any formal request. It’s been all just speculating and the level of speculation has caused us somewhat to be looking at all options. All options remain on the table,” he said.
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the government body responsible for spatial planning and environment projects, which was represented at the GLOC-2 conference, also tried to avoid the subject.
GLOC-2, an international conference on Land /Ocean connections continues at the Hilton Rose Hall in Montego Bay until Friday.
--Kimone Thomas
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2gfgP7j41
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