National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NEC) has noted certain statements made in the media regarding the application for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) for the port infrastructure for the Point Lisas South and East Industrial Estate and wishes to provide clarification as follows:
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As part of its mandate to develop the downstream petrochemical and energy sector for the benefit of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, NEC sought to develop port infrastructure to serve a new industrial estate at Point Lisas.
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Concurrent with the application to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) for a CEC to develop the port, NEC proceeded to purchase a certain amount of long lead materials including sheet piles, steel circular pipes and geotextiles.
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NEC has received a Notice of Refusal from the EMA for the construction of the port and as a result, the Company is conducting a comprehensive review of the project in order to ascertain the implications of its cancellation. This review includes the identification of alternative uses for the material that was acquired for the project, in areas such as road construction, erection of retaining walls and land restoration works.
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In addition, NEC is currently evaluating projects for the Point Lisas South and East Industrial Estate including the manufacture of plastics, the production of inorganic chemicals and downstream petro-chemicals as well as initiatives in agri-business.
NEC remains committed to the continued development of Trinidad and Tobago and will conduct its affairs in compliance with all laws and regulations. NEC will ensure that in pursuing its developmental objectives due care and attention is paid to the preservation of the environment and the sustainable development of communities.