The Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) welcomes the unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal which has dismissed the case of the Fisherman and Friends of the Sea (FFSO) challenging the decision of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) for granting a Certificate of Environmental Clearance to the Ministry for the construction of the Cumuto to Manzanilla Highway. The Court of Appeal has unequivocally reaffirmed the decision of the High Court.
The decision of the Court of Appeal has cleared the way for the MOWT and its agent the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO), to proceed with the construction of this Highway in an expeditious manner for the benefit of all citizens, particularly, the people of Sangre Grande, Cumuto and Manzanilla. The Ministry wishes to reiterate that construction works on this project never occurred and was never intended to occur on the Aripo Savannas as was being asserted by the FFOS. On the contrary, it was always intended to proceed in a manner that would protect this environmentally sensitive area.
The Ministry is committed to preserving this national treasure and undertakes to work closely with the EMA to minimize any adverse effect on the environment during the construction of the Highway and to observe all the terms and conditions of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance.
The Ministry thanks the people of Cumuto, Sangre Grande and Manzanilla for their patience during the stoppage of construction work and we look forward to continued works for the improvement of the social and economic lives of all our citizens.
***