Minister Habet on Causeways and Alegria Retirement

We also asked the Minister of Sustainable Development for an update on the investigation into the 2019 E.C.P. for Stake Bank’s development. And whether the investigation is directly linked to the retirement of Chief Environmental Officer Martin Alegria.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“The Cabinet had requested that the Chief Environmental officer submit a report on what had happened. It has been submitted to the Prime Minister. They are supposed to send me a copy of that report. I haven’t seen it as yet. CEO and I were out to Glasgow during COP. So, we haven’t really seen it and digested it. As soon as we have that opportunity, we will speak to Cabinet and Cabinet will make that decision on what has to be done. His retirement is due. He is going to be fifty-five in February. So, he is doing his pre-retirement leave, because there are holidays he has to take. So, he is off on his vacation leave as pre retirement.”

Reporter

“Is there any explanation as to the permission given to Stake Bank and their causeways?”

Orlando Habet

Orlando Habet

“From what we have gathered and the information that we have seen on the ECPs, and the date when it was signed, this was signed in August of 2019; we got into office in November of 2020, so that ECP was signed a year and two months before we got into office.”

Reporter

“Any idea as to where that permission came from?”

Orlando Habet

“What we have to recall, the regulations then gives the authority to the Chief Environmental Officer, who at that time was the Chairman of the NEAC and had the authority to sign. So if they didn’t see that for one year and a few months, then something is wrong there.”