Expanding on its line of services, locally registered company, JSB Investments, is gearing up to launch a heavy-duty machinery and equipment sales and service centre and has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for environmental authorisation.
According to the project summary posted on the EPA’s website, the investment is pegged at $85 million and is expected to be completed in six months once approval is given.
The company operations will be established on five acres of land at Block ‘R’ Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara.
Having screened the project and assessed the potential environmental impacts, the EPA stated that it has determined that the project will not significantly affect the environment or human health and therefore it is exempted from the requirement of an EIA.
Justifying its decision, the environmental agency said the project, from the areas identified for the operations is suitable and it is not being located in an environmentally sensitive area. Further the agency said documents submitted outlined adequate mitigation measures to prevent harm to the environment.
Nonetheless, in an advertisement, the EPA informed that any person who may be affected by any of the proposed projects may lodge an appeal against the Agency’s decision with the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) within thirty days of the date of the publication of the notice. Objections should be addressed to the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board and sent to its email address, eabguyana21@ gmail.com.
The company, which has its origins in Armoroc Trading (sand and stone importation, loam and sand mining, and printing services) said that with the new facilities they are seeking to further expand the range of services provided.
The new complex is touted to be a state-of-the-art facility built on two acres of land and will offer services such as a service centre, machinery and equipment showroom, wash bay, fuel and lubricants storage and dispensation building, facility for designated waste and refuse collection with temporary storage, and an administrative bloc.
The physical structure will be constructed using pre-fabricated steel and concrete blocks, zinc roofing, inclusive of transparent zincs and will be outfitted with extractor fans and adequate gutters to avoid erosion and enable rainwater harvesting.
The project, the company said, will have adequate measures for waste disposal. While there will be no significant amount of industrial and hazardous waste generated from the operation, the developers said that they will be contracting a waste disposal service to collect and properly dispose of the waste generated.
Touching on its environmental footprint, the company stated that impacts level range between none and medium.
In the case of oil spills, the impact level is pegged at medium. However, they are prepared to put adequate extraction, collection and storage facilities in place to eliminate the chances of such occurrence. It was stated that they will equip the facility with automatic suction pumps and tanks at all time.
Also they will strategically place oil spills kits on the premises to be able to immediately mop up any spill.
In terms of noise nuisance, the company said given its distance from residential premises, noise from the operation will not be heard.
It noted that impacts on soil, water and land pollution will be minimal and the company plans to plant trees and build a revetment to prevent erosion.
It will also implement a drainage system to capture excess rain water in a bid to mitigate further erosion.
JSB Investment explained further that two reservoirs will be built to trap waste water. It was explained that wastewater will first be diverted into the primary reservoir and filtered before being stored in the secondary reservoir for further treatment and will be tested before being released into the ground.
The company in their explanation said with the number of foreign companies setting up operations here to service the oil and gas sector, they see the need for a one-stop facility of its kind.
It posited that its location is highly suited for such operations since there isn’t heavy traffic and they are not located in proximity to residential properties.
Additionally, the company is investing $110 million in a block-making facility to support the country’s rapid expansion in the infrastructure and construction development of the country. The facility is currently being constructed at Tract ‘A’, Yarrowkabra, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
