Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator, Radio
CONCERNS ARE being raised with regard to the multi-billion dollar Jamalco expansion project.
There are reports that the concerns relate to whether the Government will be able to secure Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) for the project.
Contacted last week, Anthony Hylton, head of the Government's Energy Policy in the Office of the Prime Minister, was unable to speak specifically to the Jamalco project, but said the Government was still pursuing discussions with Trinidad for the LNG project.
Blossom Laidlaw, Jamalco's public relations manager, told The Gleaner yesterday that the expansion was contingent on the completion of negotiations by the Jamaican Government for LNG for the project.
She said, however, that she was not aware that the Jamalco expansion project is facing problems.
IN TROUBLE
In the meantime, Lambert Brown, president of the University and Allied Workers Union, said yesterday that he has learnt that the multi-billion expansion of the Jamalco alumina refinery is in trouble.
According to Mr. Brown, he has received reports that the Government has not been able to meet its obligations with the parent company, Alcoa.
"I am calling on Dennis Morrison (and) Paul Robertson to tell the country that what we are hearing is wrong and that we are going to get this great investment," he charged.
Since last Thursday, The Gleaner has made several unsuccessful attempts to speak with Mr. Morrison, director-general in the Development Ministry, Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Carlton Davis, and Development Minister, Dr. Paul Robertson, with regard to the issue.
On May 5, 2005, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson broke ground for the US$800 million (J$49 billion) Jamalco expansion project.
The proposed expansion would double the refinery's total capacity to at least 2.8 million tonnes per year.
