EPA halts Stockfeeds rice mill construction
Objections raised by nearby businesses
By Oscar P. Clarke
Stabroek News
June 20, 2003
Work on the new Guyana Stockfeeds (GSI) parboiled rice mill at Farm, East Bank Demerara has stopped following a cease order issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a public hearing is now to be held.
Compliance with the order was confirmed by EPA Director Environmental Management, Dr David Singh.
He acknowledged that a letter had been sent to the EPA by GSI informing it of compliance with the authority’s order. The EPA is yet to grant an environmental permit allowing for the construction of the mill.
The EPA’s order was prompted by objections to the rice mill’s construction from the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation Inc. (New GPC Inc), National Hardware (Guyana) Ltd (NHL) and the Little Diamond/Herstelling Neighbourhood Democratic Council, which said GSI had not applied for land use approval.
New GPC, in their objection at a meeting with the EPA, listed dust pollution as an unavoidable consequence of such operations with possible effects on its operations and employees.
It further cited the issue of waste disposal from the operations which could burden the already non-functioning drainage system. There was also the likelihood of increased rodents and pests.
The pharmaceutical company also said increased heavy-duty traffic both during construction and when the mill becomes operational could further damage the road which it said GSI refused to repair or share the cost of repairing.
It also spoke of the effects of pile driving on the integrity of its buildings and on the calibration of sensitive equipment used in the manufacturing of drugs.
NHL’s main complaint was the effect of the proposed milling operations on its enterprise along with the effects on residents in the vicinity as its operation is located downwind from the site.
But at the meeting the EPA’s Singh and Clifton Paul, Environmental Complaints Division, advised the parties that it was the agency’s technical opinion that a rice milling operation at the proposed site would not have adverse effects on the neighbouring establishments.
The meeting concluded with the parties failing to reach agreement and subsequently saw the EPA slapping a cease order on the construction on May 2. A public hearing has now been scheduled for June 26 to hear objections from interested parties.
GSI Chief Executive Officer, Robert Badal told Stabroek News on Tuesday that GSI had complied fully with the order of the EPA and was willing to allow the process to proceed through all the necessary legal channels.
He said work on the site was stopped a little after the company had received the cease order as the foundations could not be left exposed.
Commenting on the concerns of the parties, Badal said that in the case of New GPC the proposed mill was some 500 feet away from its premises and with wind blowing towards the river it was very unlikely it would be affected.
He said NHL’s establishment consisted only of a warehouse, and the mill would be totally insulated limiting any adverse effects to the parties.
All byproducts including bran and hulls would be used to feed a boiler which would generate steam for a co-generation unit.
Badal said the five-tonne mill would be encased in cylinders and no external burning of waste would be done as was the case with regular rice mills. The paddy husk would be used to generate power.
He said the objections to the mill were based on outdated perceptions of existing rice mills with paddy being dried in the open air.
He was confident that through the proposed public enquiry and a demonstration of the US-rated low emissions technology, the parties would get a better understanding of the project.
Badal said the location was necessary as the rice would be for export and needed to be near the wharf.
He said he had met with representatives of both businesses late last year during which he had discussed the project and had been confident that they had an understanding of it.
Badal said he was prepared to abide by the ruling of the Environmental Appeals Board if it decided that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is necessary. GSI has targeted October for completion of its mill in time to supply export markets for parboiled rice in Canada, Europe, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
