00:00In a statement issued on May 22nd, 2026, the Ministry of Energy says hold-over letters were issued to 25
00:09bona fide operators,
00:11allowing them to continue mining and processing activities while they await the renewal of expired licenses.
00:18But TAPA President Nigel Tenier tells the Morning Edition this raises more questions than answers.
00:25But essentially it's a plaster. It's a plaster because you've not granted the operator the license.
00:33There are some criteria that the operators have to meet in terms of land and in terms of WASA, in
00:41terms of the EMA, in terms of the state lands and whatnot,
00:48or town and country, depending on whether your lands that you're operating on are privately owned or state owned.
00:53He says the letters were issued to operators who already held licenses in the past, neglecting others who have long
01:02been awaiting approval.
01:04Tenier also points to the use of the term bona fide in the Ministry's statement, saying it deepens concerns over
01:12transparency and consistency.
01:14Now they made reference to bona fide. Were the bona fide operators approved by Cabinet, or were they issued at
01:25the sole discretion of the Ministry?
01:26He is again calling for urgent consultation and licenses for sand and gravel operators.
01:32As of now, it's not mining license per se, but it is the granting of processing license for sand and
01:41gravel.
01:42This is what is going to found the basis of the revitalization plan.
01:46This is at the base of the construction industry in Trinidad and Tobago, and so this is our real concern,
01:53and so should everybody else.
01:54He notes that no new processing licenses for sand and gravel have been issued in 25 years.
02:01Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
Comments