Wharf proposed for Salem

Plans are being made for a wharf at Salem, Parika by a company called Global Commercial Import and Export according to a notice to the public placed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Global Import and Export owned by Tina Albert was among two other companies which had submitted applications to the EPA seeking environmental authorization to start construction. The wharf will be located at Lot 25 A Salem, Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

With the rise of the oil and gas industry there has been frenetic activity along the Demerara River and to a lesser extent, the Essequibo River.

Albert is the daughter of the developer of the intended West Central Mall, Hemraj Albert. The mall estimated to be a US$5m project is expected to be completed in two years at the site of the former Leonora Sugar Estate Senior Staff Compound. The sod for this project was turned last week with President Irfaan Ali in attendance.

Tina Albert, when contacted by Stabroek News on the project said that the topic of the wharf was “not up for discussion”.

The notice by the EPA had announced that applications for the projects that were submitted were screened by the agency for potential environmental impacts and they were not considered to negatively impact the environment or human health and were therefore exempted from the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Nonetheless, the EPA in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap.20:05, Laws of Guyana, and the Environmental Protection (Authorizations) Regulations, 2000 had further stated that any person who may be affected by any of the proposed projects could lodge an appeal against the agency’s decision within thirty days from January 24 when the notice was advertised.

The other two applicants listed were Rabindranauth Muneshwer for construction of a warehouse located at Rome, East Bank Demerara, and Thuranthiran Hadarajah attached to SAIPEM Guyana Inc. to allow for operation of a fabrication yard situated at Lot A, Lot B, Mudlot A, Mudlot B & Water Parts of Pitman & Ashley Square, Water and Holmes streets, South Cummingsburg.