The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is requesting more information from the Golden Grove -Buccoo Limited (GGBL) before it can issue a Certificate of Environmental Clearance(CEC) for the construction of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Tobago.
Guardian Media Limited obtained documents from the EMA which show that the request for more information was sent to GGBL on October 1, 2018, after the EMA received the company’s CEC application on September 14, 2018.
GGBL is a State enterprise given the responsibility to manage the Buccoo Estate- the site for Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
In its application, GGBL noted that Government of Trinidad and Tobago is in the process of acquiring the Golden Grove Estate which is joined by lands owned by the Tobago House of Assembly, Samaan Grove Development and the Water and Sewerage Authority.
The application’s cover letter also advised that Kamau Akili, a well-known environmentalist, is the Environmental Consultant, and has the authority to act on the board of director’s behalf.
Where the application asked for the rate of generation of solid waste and its disposal, GGBL stated that the 100 metric tons of domestic solid waste are expected to be generated during the operational phase of the project, “will be disposed of at the Studley Park Landfill or recycled.”
And where the application requested information on the rate of generation (m3 per day)of domestic wastewater and sewerage once the resorts are constructed, the state enterprise said: “ 1,850 m3 per day...to be treated by the Water and Sewerage Authority Southwest Tobago waste Water Treatment Facility.”
In reply to the GGBL’s application, the EMA asked for more information.
The EMA wants GGBL to explain the project’s establishment of land drainage and irrigation schemes, land reclamation, coastal or offshore construction or modification and dredging activities as well as the establishment of surface impoundments, dams or reservoirs for storage of water.