A series of articles have appeared in local print media critical of the multi-purpose port being planned for eastern Toco Bay. In response, we note that we were engaged in 2017 to confirm the site selection for this port and to conceptually plan, design and carry out preliminary engineering for it. This assignment is similar to others that we have undertaken over the past 50 years for Jamaica, St Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, where the related sites have similar kinds of eco-systems as at Toco. However, the criticisms there have been less intense. Since we have been operating in T&T from 1980 we have become familiar with such zeal and exuberance.
In a healthy democracy, debate is essential and hence we welcome responsible comments in the print media about various aspects of the port proposed at Toco. However, it is felt that some of the comments and observations may have been made through lack of information about the details of modalities and studies—environmental, engineering, and socio-economic—utilised in arriving at the port design presented at the public consultation of April 12, 2019.
We hence offer the following further explanations.
RATIONALE AND DESIRABILITY FOR A PORT ON THE NORTH-EAST COAST OF TRINIDAD
1. At the outset it needs to be stated that neither NIDCO nor its planning, design and EIA consultants will embark on such a major core infrastructure project without due diligence and related preliminary and ongoing studies on all aspects of the port, including:
(i)) the most appropriate location for such a port on the north-east coast of Trinidad
(ii) the composition and technical design thereof
(iii) the environmental and the socio-economic viability issues.
In addition, it needs to be further recognised that this port is a port for T&T to be located at Toco and hence a national port and not a port for Toco only.
2. The desirability of a port between Port-of-Spain and Galeota on the north and east coasts have been discussed and studied since the 1970s. Further, based on media reports successive governments seem to be in favour of such a port. Such continuing desirability for this port emanates from a universal premise that a significant core infrastructure project like a port and associated highway, where none exist, are a potent, fertile seed being planted. All with a very pregnant promise of a healthy tree sprouting branches with fruits of significant economic growth and opportunities. Whether the tree bears such fruits or not depends on subsequent nurturing by the private sector with encouragement from successive governments. In addition, there are the added benefits these projects bring, ie, of raising the living standards of the surrounding communities. These socio-economic benefits cannot be financially quantified in an unassailable objective manner.
3. For such core projects, economic viability analyses are almost always subjective, depending upon the assumptions made as to downstream benefits and related quantification of costs and returns. Suffice it to say that the Caribbean societies and nation states sprouted from just such ports established up to 500 years ago. Hence for these investment decisions, the macro-economic potential—particularly now that diversification of the economy is critical—should far outweigh any subjective microeconomic computations.
4. Notwithstanding these fundamental pre-requisites in related decision-making, a 1990 technical and financial feasibility study by the 'Sea-Bridge Team' for "The establishment of a Multi-Purpose port in the North-East Region of Trinidad and a Ferry Link from the NE region to Tobago" was carried out in 1990 by an eminent, local team of consultants, comprising architects, engineers, economists, and environmentalists. The ensuing detailed report examines in some detail a) Location of port, b) Planning policy context of the NE Region of Trinidad, c) Identification of alternative port locations, d) The ferry service, e) Establishing the scale of port facilities, f) Preliminary engineering design, g) Environmental Impact Assessment h) Cost/benefit analysis i) Spin-off benefits, j) Institutional framework and k) Social survey—Toco Village.
5. Emanating from these studies and related financial analysis, the Sea Bridge Team Report recommends a port to be built at the eastern end of Toco Bay, comprising, Ferry Berths, a Fisheries Port (50 vessels), a Marina (30 vessels) and Coast Guard berths. MOWT and NIDCO have been guided by this report in establishing the location and the scale of this multi-purpose port development.
6. It may be argued that that study is 28 years old. We would contend that nothing has changed in Toco, but the needs identified in 1990 for economic opportunities there are even more acute. More importantly, in T&T where diversification of the economy is now critical, the north-east region of Trinidad with its all too sought after verdant, picturesque and pristine tropical coastline and undulating hinterland, creates possibilities similar to those in Jamaica. In Jamaica, a similarly blessed north coast has become the economic backbone of that country. But to realise them core infrastructure projects like ports and highways are essential.
SITE SELECTION AND LOCATION FOR A PORT ON THE NORTH-EAST COAST OF TRINIDAD
7. Besides the recommendations of the feasibility study by the Sea-Bridge Team noted above, in 1988 the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) carried out an environmental impact study (EIS) for the location of such a port on the north-east coast of Trinidad. After a reasonably detailed study of sites at Grand Riviere, Toco Bay, and Balandra Bay, it concluded, and we quote:
a. Grand Riviere Bay: 'A critical habitat exists in this bay in that the beach is considered a significant nesting site on the north coast for leatherback turtles...' (Page 75 of the Report)
b. Toco Bay: 'Toco Bay cannot be said to possess a critical habitat...' (Page 78 of the Report)
c. Balandra Bay: 'Balandra Bay also does not possess a critical habitat...' (Page 81 etc of the Report)
8. Various comments have been made about the possible destruction of nesting places for the turtles at the chosen Toco Bay site. It was noted by IMA that incidental nesting has been reported in this bay—and also at Balandra Bay. These nesting sites in Toco are at Mission Beach, some 500 meters to the west of the proposed site for the Toco Port. According to the resident fisherfolk, such visits by turtles to that site are very infrequent. In any case, no construction of any form associated with this port is intended to be within 500 meters of the Mission Bay Beach, which would not be the case for Balandra Bay Beach. All beach sites and bays on the north-east coast are probable turtle nesting sites. It is the case of selecting the one least affected, and that is the eastern seaboard of Toco Bay, which has no beaches that are suitable for nesting.
9. Whilst a generalised comment on coral formation in Toco Bay is made in the IMA report, subsequent 2017 site-specific survey under the footprint of the future port, noted that 'where the light is able to reach the sea bottom there is sufficient hard bottom for coral attachment, however, the wave action and siltation prevent significant coral growth'. Hence the coral growth at the specific site is sporadic and transient. Ongoing EIA studies will elaborate on this aspect of the marine benthos.
10. As to the issues of sedimentation and erosion, Toco Bay was analysed by our specialist sub-consultants using sophisticated and internationally respected 'MIKE' suite of software and the results indicated that there would be no sedimentation or erosion problems at the port site. Instead, there will be an enhancing of the beach at Mission Bay. Whereas at Balandra Bay, sedimentation would be a major problem. Longshore sediment transport from Orinoco River along the eastern seaboard of Trinidad, could create significant sedimentation within a probable harbour at Balandra Bay.
About Arun Buch & Associates
Arun Buch & Associates Ltd (ABA) is a wholly owned consulting engineering firm, founded in Trinidad in 2002. Before 2002, it was known as HLC Eng Co. Both firms whilst based in Trinidad, also operated throughout the Caribbean, from Belize to Trinidad. Mr Arun Buch is the managing director and the principal partner of both firms. In Trinidad, the firm designed projects such as the Financial Complex in POS, Govt Campus Plaza, Ato Bolden and Manny Ramjohn stadiums, Chancery Lane Complex (San Fernando Teaching Hospital), Hilton Tobago (Grand Magdalena) and many others. Mr Buch was also an expert witness at the Uff Commission of Enquiry where he submitted reports to the Commission and to UDECOTT on 'What went wrong' with the implementation of the Brian Lara Stadium.
The firm was appointed in 2017 by NIDCO to carry out conceptual planning and preliminary engineering designs for the Toco Port. During 50 years of practice in the Caribbean, Mr Buch has also designed other major port projects in Jamaica, St Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Grenada plus many significant buildings and bridges in those countries.
Continuing in your T&T Guardian tomorrow