The Trinidad and Tobago Aggregate Producers Alliance says there are too many obstacles in obtaining quarrying licenses and they want government to streamline the process.
President of the Association, Nigel Tenia, says government has not granted any quarrying licenses in 25 years, an assertion that the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries disputes.
Mr Tenia told TTT news that the whole process of acquiring a quarrying license lacks transparency and accountability.
“Some people are waiting in excess of five years,” he said, “Some people, since 2008, would have submitted their first application.”
“Every 90 days, your application, if not make current by making a payment of $1,000, is considered void.”
The arrest of a businessman in October for unlawful processing of aggregate without a license from the Ministry of Energy has ignited concern about the processing of licenses for quarrying in Trinidad and Tobago.
