MOTIONS

1. Motion on Concerning Opposition to the Development and Operation of a quarry at Richmond in North Leeward.

To be moved by Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday and seconded by Major the Honourable St. Clair Leacock

Concerning Opposition to the Development and Operation
of a quarry at Richmond in North Leeward

WHEREAS the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has entered into an agreement with Rayneau Construction and Industrial Equipment Ltd (“Rayneau Construction”) for the development and operation by Rayneau Construction of a quarry at Richmond in North Leeward and for that purpose has leased 58.8 acres of land to Rayneau Construction for a period of thirty years;

AND WHEREAS in January 2022, without warning to farmers, heavy equipment drove through farmlands in Richmond to gain access to the quarry site, and Rayneau Construction began work developing the quarry;

AND WHEREAS the quarry will cause significant changes to the landscape and other environmental changes that may seriously affect people, fauna and flora in the surrounding areas and, accordingly, it is necessary and in keeping with generally accepted standards that, prior to the commencement of such a project, an assessment of its impact on the environment and people be done;

AND WHEREAS no Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted in relation to the quarry project in Richmond being developed by Rayneau Construction;

AND WHEREAS under the agreement, lands for the quarry operations have been leased by the Government to Rayneau Construction for $12,000 per year and Rayneau Construction will pay the Government a fee of only $2 per tonne of aggregate sold by the quarry;

AND WHEREAS the failure to have any consultation with the people living in the surrounding areas prior to the commencement of the project, the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment of the project, and the nature of the financial arrangements agreed to by the government for the operation of the quarry have all led to a public outcry and widespread opposition to the project and in calls from many, including villagers from the surrounding areas to stop the quarry, to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment, and to review the financial terms of the agreement;

AND WHEREAS the Government and Rayneau Construction have not halted the project and, notwithstanding the public outcry against it, work on the development of the quarry continues at a rapid pace;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the development of the quarry at Richmond by Rayneau Construction be halted immediately pending satisfactory consultation with residents including farmers, business people, fisherfolk and public sector workers, a satisfactory Environmental Impact Assessment of the project, and a satisfactory review of the financial arrangements between the Government and Rayneau Construction concerning the project.

Dated this 22nd day of April, 2022