Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has addressed concerns and criticisms surrounding the quarry project being established in the Richmond area in North Leeward.
Speaking on Star Radio yesterday, the prime minister agreed that there was no excuse for not having another round of consultation on the project. His comment comes after residents expressed disappointment that they were not notified work was about to begin.
He stated: “Clearly the various officials did not move with the expedition to do the consultation and because an earlier consultation was done in relation to another earlier set of investors and that didn’t come through —that one consultation does not go to another.
The imminence of another one should have generated a similar level of consultation.”
Gonsalves noted there was already a lot of preparation for a quarry there, including the Environmental Social Impact Assessment, otherwise the planning authorities would not have given approval.
He added that in North Leeward, persons with lands who are in occupation of State land and who have crops will be compensated.
The prime minister said: “They know in every respect we will make sure they are properly compensated and we will see if we could find alternative land elsewhere.”
Gonsalves also noted the quarry is important for the country.
On Thursday, Government senator, Minister of Urban Development, Julian Francis, is expected to host a media briefing to address questions on the quarry project in Richmond.