The controversial EIA for NCL tourism project; 1 consultant says he didn’t work for it
Evaristo Avella
Last week Wednesday, Norwegian Cruise Lines executives were part of a consultation process in Independence, seeking input on the Environmental Impact Assessment for their proposed cruise tourism port on Harvest Caye. Residents lashed out at the EIA, claiming that it was full of errors and premises based on old and inaccurate data. The mood was decidedly negative, and so was much of the input. Local stakeholders believe that errors in the EIA, which is so critical to the project, is a distasteful reflection on the project itself. No doubt there is a valid reason for some of the criticism, and we’ll show it to you firsthand. Cayo resident Evaristo Avella is cited as one of the experts in the EIA, and the man who provided the Social Feasibility Report. But he didn’t. In fact, says Avella, while he has done consultancy work, he has never done any for NCL.
Evaristo Avella
“I knew about the NCL Consultation and I knew that an EIA was being done, but I had nothing to do with that EIA.”
Reporter
“They have your name as the social expert.”
Evaristo Avella
“Yes, but I have nothing to do with that EIA. I am Evaristo Avella and my name was as the social expert in that EIA and they showed me as an annex and I was surprised when I saw it.”
Reporter
“So you never worked on the EIA for NCL?”
Evaristo Avella
“I never worked for NCL; I don’t even know how the island looks.”
Reporter
“But they have you down as the island expert.”
Evaristo Avella
“Yes and that is a lie.”
Reporter
“Have you worked for Pepe Garcia?”
Evaristo Avella
“I have worked with him before, but nothing relating to NCL or Harvest Caye. I have worked in the past with other projects so maybe they are so bad in their editing that they did not even edit my name out in this particular EIA. But it is NCL because I have cleared it with him and he is saying that NCL edited the EIA. So my name should not be there. I know now that it stands for Norwegian Cruise Line; that is all I know. I don’t know anything about that; and I never worked for it. and I would have never worked for it because it is so controversial.”
We could not confirm if Avella worked on the first EIA for Harvest Caye, but still the new EIA can be found in its entirety at www.southernbelizecruise.org
Evarist, no bite di hand weh feed u.
Good Job Avella. Let the Truth and Transparency Flow. If a genuine error was made
by the organization then it needs to be corrected and a public apology made to you for
associating your name with the project….simple and straight-forward. Don’t be
pressured or allow anyone to stain your good name for a few pieces of silver!
I am sorry, but I had to clear my name. I have not worked in any capacity on this EIA. A request was made for me to work; and I refused the offer. With God on my side; and with my able hands; I will continue feeding myself; and GOD feeds us all. God Bless one and all. Thanks for the support given by many persons.
NCL – what a bunch of jokers. After they done pay all their bribes they fully expect to sail in. A pity nobody told them how thungs really work in belize and that they never should grease the wrong hands, use people name nor hire the wrong people. They get what they were looking for – the shaft and will get more cause them stupid.