So, with this major dispute over the legitimacy of the Environmental Compliance Plan - how will the Cabinet proceed. Well, that largely depends on where the Prime Minister stands - and today he insisted that - despite their protestations - the past UDP government did give permission to build the causeway:
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Obviously we have to look at the records, and I am not seeing the records to show what really happened but what I do know for a fact is when they go the permission to do the causeway, Natural Resources, with the physical planning, they were charged them I think it's about $800,000 a year for the causeway but somebody went to speak to the officials at the Ministry of Natural Resources and that was reduced to $100,000. I say that to make the point that it was obvious the ministers knew that something was taking place. Now whether the minister of Environment knew, I have to take his word, but ministries knew that something was happening and that there is some sort of approval. What do we have to do, well, we have to look at it to see if the process was followed and if the process was not followed then obviously we have to do that, we have to ensure the process was followed because if we leave it as it is then I'm sure someone will take out a lawsuit."
"That just came on the news yesterday, I attempted to get a copy and I was told they couldn't find it, I got some information since I knew when we talk about a causeway I knew it had to go to == planning, I spoke with the CEO and that's how I got the information, they did pay the $100. So the ECP is a public document so I'm certain that the minister, Minister Habet will make that document public. Now as to the minutes, if the minutes are something that should be public then sure we have no problems in making it public."
First off, we still have not gotten that very public document, the Environmental Compliance Plan. Second, the minutes of any NEAC meeting are certainly not private business - or a matter of national security, so, clearly, they should be made public - especially for a government that committed in its manifesto to, quote, "Overhaul the NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL COMMITTEE (NEAC) widen consultation, enhance transparency & streamline decision making." End quote.
