And while Waterloo's latest EIA is still going through the normal procedures, the conservation NGO's have called for a pause on all EIA's of that nature, and are asking for the National Cruise Tourism Policy and the National Ports Policy to be completed before proceeding.
It was a pledge made by the Cabinet back on October 21st, and their statement read, quote, "Cabinet will consider, approve and publish in the coming months an updated National Cruise Tourism Policy and the National Ports Policy, both of which will be consistent with this interim Statement on Cruise Sector Development." End quote.
Almost a year later, and that has not been done. We asked PM Briceno for an update.
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We haven't gotten the final draft of the ports policy but it's certainly something that has to be looked at. Everybody will tell you that you can't have three ports right next to each other. Part of that is going to work out its own way because the investors, if they see already that a port is going to be built in that area, other investors will not put their money in other ports, it's just common sense. But we are working with that and I guess I have to check with both the minister in charge of the ports and minister for tourism to see where they are with that."
Courtney Menzies:
"Don't you think the policy should be approved before the government considers any other EIA's?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, this EIA is already in process and this is where we disagree with the NGO community, the conservation NGO community. We have great respect for them and respect the work they do, we also have to look at the national development of this country. We have a broader view, a broader perspective, we have a broader or a bigger constituency to look at, the people of this country elected us to be able to create opportunities, to reduce poverty, to develop this country, granted responsibly at all times in considering the environment but we need to move this country forward."
