Dear Editor,
Before Crab Island is offered up for industrial usage, it is imperative that an in-depth ecological study is done to better understand the impact on the environment. The creation of a catalogue of rare and endangered species on the Island will provide clarity into whether the Island should be allowed to be industrialised at all. We must remain conscious of our ‘green strategy’ and the message it sends to potential tourists. Thus keeping the environment at the forefront of our decisions continues to be important and should not be forsaken for riches in the oil industry.
A clear outline of what prerequisites are required to obtain permission from the Government such as a review of the by-products that will be produced as waste materials and a thorough review of the hazardous material content of the products being used should be done. How those waste materials are to be disposed of without negatively impacting the environment is also crucial to outline especially given the poor track record of spills we have seen thus far due to the blatant disregard of the long-term impact on our environment by foreign companies.
This is our land and we will always have to deal with the consequences of any further environmental damage during our expansion of the economy. The Ministries must be equipped with the training and tools that will strengthen their ability to manage and control industrial investors and how they treat our homeland. It is good to see that we are gaining foreign investor interest, but we must overcome this excitement and remain prudent and logical in our long-term decision-making. Remember investors come in all sorts, both good and bad. Let’s seek out only the good ones and ensure they can meet the high standards we must set to protect our country’s longevity and prosperity.
Best regards,
Jamil Changlee
