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JET seeks PAAC support on Goat Islands environmental issue
Thursday, February 20, 2014 | 8:04 AM
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A section of the Goat Islands
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) could start looking at environmental issues linked to the proposed, China-financed transshipment hub on the Goat Islands.
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has written PAAC chairman, Edmund Bartlett, asking to be allowed to make a presentation to the committee, urgently.
JET also suggested that the committee request similar presentations from the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, the Port Authority of Jamaica, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, which manages the Portland Bight protected area as well as fishing and other interests in Old Harbour Bay.
JET said in the letter that it has repeatedly called for public consultation and much more information, without success.
“We are particularly interested in knowing what other sites were considered and why they were rejected,” said JET’s Chief Executive Officer, Diana McCaulay.
McCaulay said that, in view of the beach licence application and Port Authority Chairman, Professor Gordon Shirley’s announcement, “we believe this matter is being fast tracked, so the matter is urgent”.
Bartlett says he agrees the matter needs urgent attention. However, Government members of the PAAC think that the committee should not rush into hearing the matter.
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Thursday, February 20, 2014 | 8:04 AM
Print this page Email A Friend!
A section of the Goat Islands
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) could start looking at environmental issues linked to the proposed, China-financed transshipment hub on the Goat Islands.
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has written PAAC chairman, Edmund Bartlett, asking to be allowed to make a presentation to the committee, urgently.
JET also suggested that the committee request similar presentations from the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, the Port Authority of Jamaica, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, which manages the Portland Bight protected area as well as fishing and other interests in Old Harbour Bay.
JET said in the letter that it has repeatedly called for public consultation and much more information, without success.
“We are particularly interested in knowing what other sites were considered and why they were rejected,” said JET’s Chief Executive Officer, Diana McCaulay.
McCaulay said that, in view of the beach licence application and Port Authority Chairman, Professor Gordon Shirley’s announcement, “we believe this matter is being fast tracked, so the matter is urgent”.
Bartlett says he agrees the matter needs urgent attention. However, Government members of the PAAC think that the committee should not rush into hearing the matter.
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