'Make investors pay'
Publication: Weekend Nation
Paper Section And Page: 34
Paper Date: Fri, Dec 15, 2000
IN addition to granting concessions to investors, Government must ensure there is provision for continuous monitoring of the effects of environmental impact studies.
And Opposition Senator Leroy McClean said developers should have to remedy any situations which may arise after their projects have been completed. Speaking during debate in the Upper Chamber on Wednesday, McClean said Barbados could not afford to sacrifice its environment at the altar of development.
"There must be continuous monitoring of these projects to ensure that our environment is not adversely affected," he said during debate on the Port St. Charles (Validation) Bill 2000, in the Senate.
"Because when things get bad, some of these same investors would get on their yachts and sail on to another destination, leaving a myriad of problems behind, because they have no allegiance to our country. And in future years when our children look around and see what has happened to our country, what will they think of us?" he asked.
McClean said whenever one attempted to evaluate a project, some people with vested interests became so sensitive and defensive that they "launch attacks merely for the sake of attacking".
"But we should examine these projects as Barbadians, knowing that with a very fragile eco-system the very slightest changes in our environment can cause untold damage," he said.
"We have a responsibility to protect our environment and not allow people to do whatever they choose, just for the sake of economic development."