(Trinidad Guardian) After 21 days, Dr Wayne Kublalsingh’s hunger strike over the disputed Debe to Mon Desir extension of the Solomon Hochoy Highway to Point Fortin ended at 6.30 pm Wednesday evening.
Kublalsingh’s decision came after the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry (JCC) and other civil society groups released the terms of reference for the independent review committee to examine the several matters of concern regarding the construction of the highway.
Kublalsingh’s activist organisation, the HIghway Re-route Movement, accepted the terms of reference.
“I would like to thank the public for supporting the movement,” Kublalsingh said in a brief interview with CNC3 Television just after 7 pm Wednesday evening.
He embarked on the hunger strike three weeks ago, on November 15th.
The press release said the JCC and other civil society groups were “inviting Dr Kublalsingh to stop his protest action now, so that we can have his submissions and active participation in this important matter”.
The release confirmed the groups have appointed independent senator Dr James Armstrong to chair the independent working group.
“The JCC and its kindred associations are now committed to this process for independent, civil society oversight of this large-scale development in our country,” the release said.
Below are the terms of reference included in the release.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Review all the documentation provided by NIDCO, HRM and other interested parties
Invite written and oral submissions from interested parties
Ascertain transparency and compliance with prevailing statutory requirements
Examine the process of public consultation and public information
Examine the TOR issued by the EMA for an Environmental Impact Assessment, along with any other relevant documentation, in order to ascertain implications for social, economic and environmental impacts of the highway development, including consideration of land tenure, land acquisition and costs, land use and displacement of families and attendant settlement development. This component of the review will consider cost-benefit analysis; social impact assessment; terrestrial and marine ecology, hydrology, drainage and public utilities.
Examine the route selection process including the consideration of alternatives and the choice criteria
Make recommendations for Best Practice.
Undertake any related tasks which will enhance the content of the Report
