Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 28, 2011 News
The residents of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara want the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to shut down a rice factory in the village which they say has been causing them to suffer for the past ten years.
Presidential Candidate of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, is preparing the petition for the residents. Ramjattan, who spoke with residents yesterday said half of the village has already signed on to the petition.
Residents have informed Mr. Ramjattan that a rice mill owned by Mr. Fayuz Hack and located closely to the residential settlement emits dust from the process of milling on a continuous basis. They have recounted for the AFC’s presidential candidate, with much indignation, the multiple ways in which such pollution has affected quality of life in the village.
According to the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Sheila Holder, residents complained that the children of the village have been diagnosed with breathing complications and skin rashes.
Ashok Deonarine told Kaieteur News that two of his children have developed asthma because of the dust.
On his visit to the village, Ramjattan saw the severity of the problem when he was able to write his name on a window pane covered with dust.
Five residents of the village, namely Satya Sunu, Makanlall Birbal, Ashok Deonarine, Dindial Balkissoon and Premchand Dulchan travelled down to the AFC office in Georgetown to vent their frustration to the media.
They said that dust particles settle on their clothes, food, and entire homes. Further, they said that household appliances have been damaged because of the constant flow of dust.
The men said that they were particularly concerned about the children, women and elderly in the village who are at home all day while they work in the backdams.
In addition to the dust pollution, Sunu said that those living close to the factory are unable to sleep because of a loud noise coming from the mill which operates on a 24-hour basis.
According to the AFC, residents have stated that the owner of the mill has demonstrated scant regard for their plight and as such swift and condign action is urgently needed.
Residents have informed Mr. Ramjattan that they had previously sought the assistance of former Agriculture Minister Mr. Satyadeow Sawh, Mr. Navin Chandarpal in his capacity as the Science and Environment advisor in the office of the President, President Bharrat Jagdeo himself and also the recently elected PPP presidential candidate Mr. Donald Ramotar.
However, all these efforts have failed to resolve their problem. The residents have also written the EPA.
The residents have filed proceedings in the Court against the owner of the mill through attorney and PPP parliamentarian Anil Nandlall.
However, the AFC said repeated attempts on their part to solicit from him what headway has been made in the case have been futile.
Ramjattan said that he has sought to retrieve the file from Nandlall but he has been told the file was lost.
According to the AFC, Chairman of the Neighborhood Democratic Council, Mr. Bhagwandin Ramsarran, who was appointed to that capacity since 2004 has confirmed that he never issued any permission for the installation of dryers nor for any extension works to be carried out nor did he receive any application from the owner of the mill.
Citizens have bemoaned, the poor and the ordinary would need an NDC permission to effect the most minor of housing extension.
The AFC’s presidential candidate Mr. Ramjattan has assured aggrieved residents that he will prepare a petition to be sent to the EPA and also to take up this matter at the level of Parliament.
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