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Oh No Minister Kellman

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Denis Kellman, Minister of Environment, Water Resources and Drainage

Here is what is being written on Kammie Holder’s Facebook Page about a speech delivered recently by new Minister of the Environment:

Ministers of governments must do research before just reading any speech prepared for them.  The money we will put in a Waste to Energy plant  can be better utilized in Renewable Energy. Where will the toxic dioxin be dumped and if the scrubbers breakdown? Tell the investor wheel and come again. Bhopal is still fresh in our minds and we will not survive a Dioxin spill or can we afford an accident. Why do we listen to investors who come and talk pretty with the only motive being profit. Enact legislation to encourage persons to sort their garbage and provide incentives for companies to recycle, reuse and reduce. When will our leaders learn?

I have tagged ministers of government past and present, doctors and an undertaker as he can expect more persons to die from cancer if we so foolishly accept a waste to energy plant in Barbados. Let St Lucia brag about been the first at least there a down wind of Barbados

Here is a press release released by Greenpeace in 2004 which appears still to be relevant.


 

Press release – January 8, 2004

Environmental group Greenpeace today warned the public in Chiang Mai about the dangers of waste-to-energy incinerators currently being proposed by the Ministry of Energy.

Environmental group Greenpeace today warned the public in Chiang Mai about the dangers of waste-to-energy incinerators currently being proposed by the Ministry of Energy.

The government is planning to open garbage-burning power plants in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Nakhon Ratchasima and Rayong. The plan will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval on January 13.

Chiang Mai, the stronghold of social and environmental movements, opposed and successfully stopped the construction of an incinerator in Hang Dong district in 1995.

“These waste-to-energy and integrated waste management systems are fancy names for incinerators. If a right decision is going to be made, the government must learn from the experience in Hang Dong and implement zero waste initiatives instead of trying to justify inefficient technologies and waste our resources,” said Tara Buakamsri, Toxics Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

He pointed out that contrary to claims by the Energy Ministry that the incinerator in Phuket is successful, there is no success story of garbage power plants in Thailand.

A study of the incinerator in Phuket by the United Nations Environment Program and Germany Technical Assistance (GTZ) in 2001 has shown an increase in environmental and health threats. The study indicated that the Phuket incinerator releases a large amount of the toxic chemical Dioxin, which can cause cancer. (1)

“These projects will not help us clear a path for sustainable waste management policy. It is prohibitively expensive to build. Even with supposedly state of the art facilities, an incinerator’s toxic emission can not be controlled completely. Those living in the Chiang Mai-Lamphun basin must be concerned about living under toxic cloud if this plan materializes,” said Chainarong Setthachua, Director of Southeast Asia River Network (SEARIN).

Greenpeace has been campaigning against waste incinerator in Thailand since 1999 and successfully help preventing Japan Bank for International Cooperation’s (JBIC) loan package from financing the waste incineration project in On Nut, Bangkok last year. (2)

Greenpeace urges the government that instead of creating dirty energy from waste, it should implement environmentally acceptable waste management strategies and support zero waste initiatives to make local communities healthy

Notes: 1. The study conducted by United Nations Environment Program and Germany Technical Assistance (GTZ) in 2001 has found out that Phuket Incinerator releases 550 mg I-TEQ of Dioxin annually. Scientific evidence point out that Dioxin causes cancer. 2. Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has played an active role in financing dirty technology and controversial large-scale development projects in Asia since its establishment in 1999. Recently the institution has implemented the “JBIC Environmental Guidelines” in response pubic opposition to many projects it has funded.

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  1. Andre Higson Avatar
    Andre Higson

    This is probably the best thing I have ever read on the internet, ever.

  2. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    Fortunately Kellman is just there for a short time, as soon as Lowe is fully recovered, he would take back his office. Kellman probably didn’t understand what he was talking about.

  3. David Avatar
    David

    Technocrats in ministry write the speeches so it should matter little if Kellman is new.

  4. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    David
    I agree but the presenter has the right to question certain aspects of that speech. I’m asking if Kellman knows what he’s talking about, so that he can question it or is he just calling words. Don’t get me wrong, Mr Kellman is not a dunce but he may be ignorent to the subject to which he is speaking and the technocrat ( speech writer) can include what he/she likes and Kellman reads. It is called Square pegs in round holes.

  5. J Avatar
    J

    Kellman talks rubbish and will Kellman report on his dismal failure on Trinidad fishing agreement.
    The Kammie Holder boy is a pest.

  6. Kammie Avatar
    Kammie

    Cowardice and parasite is synonymous with those who would anonymously attack those who advocate. Its better to be a pest in an effort to ensure you rights are not eroded!

  7. Kammie Avatar
    Kammie

    Selwin Hart February 7 at 7:59am Report
    Dear Colleagues,

    We hope that you can join us in New York for this discussion, or watch online via webcast:

    “Climate Finance: Ethical Considerations for Scale, Sources and Governance”
    Monday, 7 February 2011, 10:00am-1:00pm
    UN Headquarters, Conference Room 4 (North Lawn Building), New York

    This multistakeholder panel discussion is co-sponsored by the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung New York Office, and will be moderated by Mr. Janos Pasztor, Director of the UN Secretary General’s Climate Change Support Team. Following on the heels of COP 16, this event will provide an important opportunity to discuss ethical considerations for climate finance such as how scale, sources and governance reconcile with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

    Panelists:
    • Ms. Angela Anderson – Program Director, US Climate Action Network
    •
    • Mr. Michael Dorsey – Assistant Professor in Dartmouth College’s Environmental Studies Program and Director of the College’s Climate Justice Research Project
    •
    • Ms. Lidy Nacpil – Asia Coordinator, Jubilee South (video statement)
    •
    • Mr. Paul Watkinson – Head of French Delegation to the UN climate change negotiations and lead finance negotiator for the EU (via video conference from Paris)
    •
    • Mr. Selwin Hart – Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations and AOSIS Lead Coordinator on Finance
    •
    • Mr. Mark Fulton – Global Head of Climate Change Investment Research, Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors
    •
    • Mr. Martin Lees – International Affairs Expert, The Climate Change Task Force; Former Secretary-General, Club of Rome (2008-2010)

    Please find more information, including an informal background note, here: http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article3208

    * The event is open to representatives of civil society organizations and other interested stakeholders. Individuals not in possession of a UN grounds pass must RSVP to ngls@un.org by 3 February COB to ensure entry.

    ** For those not in New York, the event will be webcast live. You will be able to find the event at http://www.un.org/webcast

    “Climate Finance: Ethical Considerations for Scale, Sources and Governance” – United Nations – Non-g
    http://www.un-ngls.org
    Monday, 7 February 2011, 10:00am-1:00pm UN Headquarters, Conference Room 4 (North Lawn Building), New York This multi-stakeholder panel discussion is co-sponsored by the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung New York Office, and will be moderated by Mr. Janos Pasztor

  8. John Avatar
    John

    There is no doubt that incineration has its problems. But so too does garbage.

    Basic to the garbage problem are the three R’s.

    Singapore uses incineration as it has done for years but even there critics point out much of what is said here. Singapore has created an offshore island where the ash is dumped. Yet, it is expected to be full by 2040.

    Check Google Earth.

    In the 1960’s Barbados was often likened to Singapore because of its not dissimilar land size but Singapore has developed way beyond Barbados.

    A population of over four million and industrial development ensure water supply and garbage disposal are key strategic objectives which engage the Government’s attention daily.

    We are into building houses with a limited water supply and promoting consumption which produces garbage.

    We just can’t get to the strategic thinking level.

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/05/22/us-waste-singapore-idUSSP9046620080522

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Singapore

  9. Terence M. Blackett Avatar
    Terence M. Blackett

    @ JOHN

    “We just can’t get to the strategic thinking level…”

    That is so SAD!!!

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @John

    Who can disagree with your comment?

    The lack of strategic thinking vision call it what you will is nauseating.

  11. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    Kammie
    Doan min’ J man, you look sa sexy you could ‘pesta’ me anytime. I knowz a good man when I sees one. Sum peeple jus jellus.mwahhhhh

  12. Random Thoughts Avatar
    Random Thoughts

    Bonnie you back?

  13. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Have you ever heard Kellman say anything that makes sense?

  14. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Kellman has been making sense for years. That is why the people of St. Lucy has kept him in Parliament all these years and rejected the Barbados Labour Party all these years.

  15. gyptian Avatar
    gyptian

    @Prodigal Son | February 7, 2011 at 10:32 PM |

    Never.

  16. Kammie Avatar
    Kammie

    Mr Kellman is a gentleman and was decent enough to respond and assure me he will speak to his technical people. He needs to be given a more substantive post in cabinet, actually he is one of the few who brings alternative views to problem solving.

    Bonny Peppa, you like you want to propose! lol

  17. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    One more piece of sense coming from Min Kellman as reported this morning, Mr. Kellman is saying that it was a grave mistake by successive governments to allow hotels to be built on the coast. Maybe, according to Kellman, all hotels should be inland, therefore all governments in the caribbean is guilty of committing the same sin as barbados’s governments. KELLMANOMICS. I think this gentleman should be promoted to a more senior ministry, for example, Min of Economic Affairs or better still Finance, he comes with something different and that’s what this country needs.

  18. David Avatar
    David

    What Kellman says makes sense in some countries in the Caribbean the coast road separates development and the beach. This way many environmental issues are minimized.

  19. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    “Mr. Kellman is saying that it was a grave mistake by successive governments to allow hotels to be built on the coast.”

    This has always been my contention.

  20. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    David
    Is that practicable to Barbados? Let’s think sensibly, do you think that Barbados would be a very attractive tourist destination if our hotels were inland? We sell SUN, SEA and SAND, so we will put them in RAIN, MUD and WOODS? If we designate the inland for hotels , where will the locals live? on the beach? We talk about no being able to feed ourselves, so if we give up the limited agricultural land to tourism would we then only grow “sea grapes”?

  21. Dennis Johnson Avatar
    Dennis Johnson

    @ Scout:
    Not “inland” as in St. George or St. Thomas necessarily; just “on the other side of the road”. For example; if all the properties along Bay Street were built on the same side as Government Headquarters, just imagine what a lovely vista that would present to a visitor [and locals too] as you drove into Bridgetown.

    Dennis

  22. Dennis Johnson Avatar
    Dennis Johnson

    …. and no problem with “beach access” either!

    Dennis

  23. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    Scout I think david argument was that coast road be the last thing before the beach. So that visitors would have to cross the road to the beach. this of course would mean we would always have windows to the sea. The idea is sound if we enforce it for all new plants.

  24. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    @The Scout | February 8, 2011 at 8:55 AM |

    Right on Scout!!
    And to besides, I’d love to see the tourists fighting their way through morning and school traffic to get to and from the beach from their inland Hotels.

    Kellmatourism indeed! following Kellmadiplomacy and we know that led nowhere.

    David; Dominica, Cancun, Belize, Guyana and Trindad and perhaps some other Caribbean destinationjs have some tourist developments inland but they are not based on “sun sea and sand” tourism but on rugged “adventure” tourism. I don’t think we have the land resources to compete in that area but we might. Anyone done a study?

  25. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    Dennis. Excellent point! I hadn’t thought about that when I responded to Scout’s point above. Of course it would be applicable to new developments near the sea. I’ve seen such tourism plants in the Dominican Republic and Cuba and they are indeed attractive.

  26. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Lest you forget, Beach land was considered “useless” and nobody considered “the environment” 40 0r 50 years ago.

    The West coast used to be Tenantry land because “yuh can’t grow cane an yam in sand.

    Therefore when the Rich came and started developing Barbados, they built home an hotels pun de beach.

    Hindsight is 20/20.

  27. John Avatar
    John

    Dennis Johnson | February 8, 2011 at 9:12 AM | @ Scout:
    Not “inland” as in St. George or St. Thomas necessarily; just “on the other side of the road”. For example; if all the properties along Bay Street were built on the same side as Government Headquarters, just imagine what a lovely vista that would present to a visitor [and locals too] as you drove into Bridgetown.

    Dennis

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Right.

    …. but Peter Laurie said in an article that Government on Bay Street were taking up valuable real estate which could be used for an hotel.

    His solution, and I think it quite fitting, was that Government HQ could be relocated to the now vacant Government property at Glendairy Prison to make way for tourist development.

  28. John Avatar
    John

    .. I have always been a fan of Dennis Kellman because he says what is on his mind and doesn’t hide it like the many spineless MP’s we have.

  29. Truthman Burton Avatar
    Truthman Burton

    @Kammie | February 8, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    (1) Kammie, I totally agree with you that Kellie deserves a more substantive position in Cabinet. The DEMS treat him as though he is an embarrassment. That Caricom Ambassadorship was merely thrown in by Thompson as a reverse psychological move; it did not actually promote Kellman, but it had the same effect as keeping him quiet, “clipping his wings” so to speak.[Hartley’s description of Thompson’s method of disapproving or dishonouring his political adversaries]

    (2)Re: “Bonny Peppa, you like you want to propose! lol”

    Kammie, Bonny Peppa proposes to EVERY male on this Blog, including me!
    She even hit on “Fondle Stroke”.

  30. Truthman Burton Avatar
    Truthman Burton

    @John | February 8, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    “Right.…. but Peter Laurie said in an article that Government on Bay Street were taking up valuable real estate which could be used for an hotel.

    His solution, and I think it quite fitting, was that Government HQ could be relocated to the now vacant Government property at Glendairy Prison to make way for tourist development.”

    Isn’t this discussion, “What should be built where” equivalent to Owen Arthur’s earlier suggestion that certain land in Barbados should be utilised in such a way that it accrues it greatest economic value? OF COURSE, when Mr. Arthur broached the subject, he was hammered with abuse and ridicule by the DEMS and their hacks, some of whom appear on this blog like double-minded men now full of praise for the same suggestion.

  31. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    We Bajans are fond of “Monday morning quarterbacking” or closing the barn door long after the horses have fled. The hotels and homes have been built and except for an act of nature there are here to stay.

    So rather than dwelling on the past lets focus on the future and how we can protect what precious little is left.

  32. Truthman Burton Avatar
    Truthman Burton

    @John | February 8, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    “Right.…. but Peter Laurie said in an article that Government on Bay Street were taking up valuable real estate which could be used for an hotel.”

    Do you remember THE DEMS’ proposed low income housing to be located on VERY HIGH VALUE land at Sam Lords St.Philip?

    Of course when voices of concern were raised, the subsequent language from the DLP became very emotive with talk about some places appearing to certain people to be too good for ordinary Barbadians. I wonder what would have been the eventual cost of that housing, and at whose expense, considering what would have to be necessary subsidization, so that low income Bajans could afford it.

  33. John Avatar
    John

    Truthman

    … except that O$A only seems to understand one UOM (Unit of measure) … the $ to determine Economic value.

    It makes no economic sense to “develop” areas where the limited water resource will be impacted …….

    … or where the topography or susurface conditions are more suited for agriculture or as a place of beauty to be enjoyed than concrete.

    Wasn’t developing the East Coast one of the brainwaves ?

    … and Sargeant, if you go down Speightstown side you will see massive construction occurring on the seaside …. now !!

    I don’t think this practice will cease until all the possible land has be concretised and we are forced to build inland!!

    Certainly the decision to stop won’t be as a result of any guiding principle, plan or any long term strategic thought.

  34. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    Barbados is only 21x14miles, we are not talking about hotels on the inland side is pure fancy talk. Right now there is one hotel that stretches from h,way 1 to h,way 2a, imagine if the actual hotel was on the inland side. Also there was a clay tiled pavement joining the actual hotel and the other side, these had to be removed because the residence at the hotel thought it was their RIGHT to cross the road at will, do you know the chaos this would cause if hotels were
    on the inland side? it would have been better to close off that highway alltogether and this is just one area join south coast to that and see that this would just be fancy talk.

  35. John Avatar
    John

    …. pedestrian crossing and traffic lights

    … kind of like at Rockley.

    We in Barbados know how to interpret green and red lights around a pedestrian crossing ……….

    …… well …… am … er …. ok …… there are always exceptions to the rule!!

  36. John Avatar
    John

    Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!!

  37. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    Imagine if there were pedestrian traffic lights in front of every existing inland hotel on the west or south coast, plus any further constructed hotels on that inland side of the beach. Then pedestrian crossings will also have to go in front of the major businesses and marls; total chaos for drivers

  38. Dennis Johnson Avatar
    Dennis Johnson

    @ Scout:

    Tourists cross the road to get to the beach at Mullins. They have to cross the road to get to the Riviera. They will have to cross the road to get from the new Marriott Courtyard.
    Barbadians are [and always were] an organised people. We know how to cooperate with visitors to this lovely island. I do not think there would be chaos with traffic if tourism development was restricted to the land side, as opposed to the seaside of the road.

    Dennis

  39. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    I am thankful that I lived in Barbados in the fifties,sixties and part of the seventies.
    It was a wonderful place to live (for me) back then.

    While I own a couple pieces of “the rock”, there is one place in Barbados that I “hang out” all day,everyday I am on vacation.
    As long as it remains an oasis in the concrete jungle I will continue to enjoy visiting my “homeland”.

    There is no stopping “progress” so expect more concrete pun de beach..

  40. David Avatar
    David

    @The Scout

    You are misunderstanding what is being proposed. A visit to Nassau illustrates what would have been possible if we had vision. As Sargeant suggest we need to protect the few windows to the sea remaining.

  41. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    Dennis
    I respectfully disagree with you, maybe we now live in two seperate Barbadoses. Police right now cannot control the driving practice of bajans, crossing on the regular pedestrian crossings available now is a risk, it’s very dangerous, drivers barely give you space to walk/run across their vehicles before they move again with you still on the crossing. Imagine a large increase of pedestrian crossings to satisfy tourists? Yes, it sounds good but it is not practical.

  42. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    Dennis
    I respectfully disagree with you, maybe we now live in two seperate Barbadoses. Police right now cannot control the driving practice of bajans, crossing on the regular pedestrian crossings available, crossing now is a risk, it’s very dangerous, drivers barely give you space to walk/run across their vehicles before they move again with you still on the crossing. Imagine a large increase of pedestrian crossings to satisfy tourists? Yes, it sounds good but it is not practical.

  43. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    David
    One thing being in a paramiliary organisation has taught me is to be observant. I realise that discussions/ blogs on the matter of the new C.J has dropped out of circulations, it’s not even listed in the section labelled “recent articles or popular articales.” Given the recent looooong talk about this matter, I deem it strange that such a dicussion was taken; was this done under duress? or has he been appointed and it makes no sense discussing it anymore?

  44. David Avatar
    David

    @The Scout

    Nothing stopping you from commenting on the CJ blogs. We have had opinions posted on both sides of the issue and we know the government intends to change the law. BU was the first to raise the matter in the public domain, what duress what?

  45. Truthman Burton Avatar
    Truthman Burton

    @John | February 8, 2011 at 10:19 AM |

    “Truthman… except that O$A only seems to understand one UOM (Unit of measure) … the $ to determine Economic value.”

    I am sure that the expression “economic value” in the context Mr.Arthur used it has a very broad meaning. You have clearly come to a myopic assumption that Arthur would not have considered some of those elements you mentioned.

    By the way, do you believe that all of these various impact studies you mentioned, and which I agree are necessary prerequisites for infrastructural development, were carried out for that PREMATURELY and elaborately “OPENED” Pickering project (another soother for Kellie) in St.Lucy?

  46. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    Random Thoughts
    yes, i back fa now but will leave within a few weeks time to have surgery done on me eye. Den I will be able ta see you betta, hopefully.

    Prodigal
    Just like you, he n all a we does tawk junk sometimes, sum mo offen dhan sum. Wah you in na Road Islan Schola needa so offa Kelly fa ma. He’s a good fella.

    Mr.Kammie
    I kno ‘good’ when i see it. ahemmmmmmmmm.Doan mind Truthman, he does get jellus quick so. You is one a my sweet-p’s pun BU Kammie darling. smoochhhhhhhh

    Truthman
    So you would kno beyon a shada of a dowt, dat I am not a wikka. I just loveeeeeeeee my menzzzzzzzz.
    I hope Fondle Stroke does live up ta dah name. Intristin.Fondle, Stroke, Fondleeeeeeeeeee, Strokeeeeeeeeeeee.Not bad a’tall. I gone befo I get a organism bosey.

    John
    your points are very good. People in general don’t like to adapt to change so they protest, protest, protest without even giving it a try. But inland hotels sounds good to me.
    Plus, I would get ta ‘block’ traffic in my two or three-piece swum-soot. Lawdddddddddd, mek peace.
    De rinkles n krinkles but Bonny strollin leisurely by in she swum-soot.
    John, murdahhhhhhhhhhhhhh sumbody call de Police.

  47. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    The Scout

    Re the CJ issue, it never fails, Bajans talk about things for nine days!
    I understand that the acting CJ has been appointed until sometime this month, so the government has to bring the amendment to the House by next week if the new CJ is to take up the appointment from March 1, 2011. The PM has said that they will change the law with or without the BLP. The poor guy has been packed up for quite sometime now ready to come down.

    We have been asking on this blog whether Fumble Stuart as AG advised David Thompson on this matter or if David Thompson took his own counsel as I am not convinced no matter the rhetoric that Fumble and David Thompson had anything in common. I think David Thompson was advised by Hartley Henry, hence Fumble now has to clean up the mess. DLP style!

    Oh what a tangle mess the Dems have made of this! If only their hate and spite for David Simmons hadn’t clouded their vision.

  48. David Avatar
    David

    @Prodigal Son

    How do you respond to the government’s explanation a validation order had be brought to parliament to address a deficiency in William Douglas appointment to the CJ chair?

  49. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    David;

    Could you tell us the nature of the deficiency in William Douglas’ appointment to CJ that required a validation order? If you can’t could one of the Lawyers who post to this blog do so?

  50. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    A USA court is trying to get the WICB to repay a gift Allan Stanford gave to them. I’m not a lawyer but that sound strange to me in our commonwealth type system. In case a expected respectable person bought my house and then it was realised that he was a fraud and the money was ill-gotten, will I have to give him/her back the money and take back my house? If I had invested the money elsewhere would I have to retrieve that too? I hope our new C.J don’t try any of those mad USA laws down here; stay on the left side of the road not the right.

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