Resolution possible in T&T highway hunger strike

Wayne Kublalsingh

(Trinidad Express) Highway hunger striker Dr Wayne Kublalsingh has agreed to conditionally accept the draft proposal submitted by the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) and the Works and Infrastructure Ministry.

His conditions include the addition of a clarification on whether the highway construction work will stop or continue during the time the JCC undertakes the independent review, and that a cost benefit analysis, hydrological report and social impact assessment also be undertaken.

Wayne Kublalsingh

“The terms of reference (of the proposal) should include the provision that oral and written submissions be made to the committee by the HRM (Highway Re Route Movement) as well as other members of the Mon Desir to Debe communities,” he said.

Kublalsingh arrived at the makeshift strike camp outside the Prime Minister’s office in St Clair and was greeted by a handful of Highway Re Route Movement members just after 11 a.m today, before settling into a chair.

He read out a prepared statement by the HRM saying that the group was “grateful” for the intervention and mediation by the JCC, FITUN, Working Women for Social Progress and the TTTI but was hopeful that his own parameters would be included.

“”I am optimistic once there is a good outcome which accepts our submissions, we will end this act,” he said.

He said he was convinced that the meeting process between the groups would continue today and expected further communication on the final decision. “We expect further outcome of this process before we terminate our action here,” he said.