Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
ROBERTSON
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann
MINISTER OF Development Dr. Paul Robertson has dismissed objections being raised by environmentalists over the granting of permission for the construction of new Spanish hotels on the north coast.
He said the government and its agencies could be indifferent in their approach to the protection of the environment and that the impression being given by environmentalists is clearly unjustified.
Dr. Robertson said that contrary to the belief of some environmental groups, the government and its agencies including National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) have been insistent that environmental standards are to be strictly observed on these projects and in some instances surpassed.
Dr. Robertson made these comments while addressing the second annual conference of the Caribbean Association of Custom Brokers at the Sunset Jamaica Grand Resort in Ocho Rios, St. Ann on the weekend.
PROTEST ACTIONS
Dr. Robertson's comments were made in light of recent objections and threats of protest actions by the Jamaica Environmental Trust and the Northern Jamaica Conservation Association to the construction of a 1,918 room resort at Pear Tree Bottom in Runaway Bay, St. Ann by the Pinero Group out of Spain.
Both groups have also gone to court to seek a judicial review of the building plans for the project that were approved by NEPA. "I would like to point out that the environmental standard to which these new developments are held are in keeping with the highest international practices and in some instances such standards are superseded", he said.
Dr. Robertson added, "The government of Jamaica is extremely cognisant of and sensitive to the need to protect our environment". He pointed out that this commitment to protecting the environment is clearly reflected in the number of environmental projects to which the government has subscribed, including the Ridge to Reef, Green Globe and Blue Flag certification.
Dr. Robertson said that poverty poses a greater threat to the environment than the well planned projects coming on stream.
The minister called on custom brokers in Jamaica to let their voices be heard in respect of the impact the Spanish invasion was having on their businesses and its importance in reducing poverty.
