$100 million to continue Reclamation of Mined Out Lands in St. Ann
There is a commitment of $100 million by the Government
this year, to continue the reclamation of mined out
lands in the St. Ann area.
This was announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, at a Town Hall meeting on July 15. Mr. Golding pointed out that efforts were also being supported by some expenditure through the Bauxite Community Development Programme.
"I ask you to bear in mind that because that programme is funded from the revenues of the bauxite industry, there is a sharp downturn in the inflows into the fund, which will affect the level of expenditure that we will have to undertake," he said, stressing that the work carried out by the Government, in terms of restoration and community development projects, would be affected by the downturn in the bauxite sector and the reduced inflows.
He informed that discussions were ongoing between the Government and two Aluminum companies - Metals from China and Century from the United States of America - both of which had formed a joint venture to establish a new alumina refinery at Lydford, in the parish.
"It will be the most modern plant in the Caribbean, if
not the whole Latin American region. They (Metals and
Century) have assured me that even though the planning
has slowed down, because of the global recession, the
commitment is still there, so that provides some hope in
terms of future development in the area," the Prime
Minister said.