BLOCKING ROADS is illegal but as a form of popular protest has become pandemic and out of control. So much so the practice has now spread to a railroad track used by Alumina Partners (Alpart).
This has ominous implications not only because it affects an important segment of the bauxite industry; political activists now seek mileage from the practice.
Alpart General Manager Ray Gendron has told The Gleaner that blockage of the railroad track at Stevens Run in St. Elizabeth threatens the operation of the company. It would be forced to close down simply because of lack of storage space for bauxite already mined.
The grouse against the company has to do with the long-running complaints by residents about a dust nuisance from bauxite operations affecting their lives. The company has been compensating some for damage to crops and roofs; but they say the level of compensation is inadequate.
The Jamaica Labour Party is said to be contemplating a lawsuit against the company on behalf of the residents. This presumably is legitimate action for a political party to undertake; but we wonder whether this should be tied to protest action which blocks a railroad track and threatens to derail vital economic activity.
It is one thing to champion legitimate causes affecting ordinary folk; but harnessing their anger for political ends is unacceptable. That is why Alpart has expressed concern that JLP interests who have threatened lawsuits against the company have also been involved in the demonstrations which blocked the railroad track.
We deplore the JLP input in this aspect of the dispute. A party spokesman said, in deference to the objections of residents wary of the political input, that they would not participate in Tuesday's meeting with the company. Happily that meeting reached a truce of sorts to deal with the complaints. Blocking bauxite trains is plain madness.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner.
