the goan I network
VASCO
The public hearing on the proposed Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) expansion plans finally concluded late Saturday evening, with several speakers continuing to voice their apprehensions and objections to the expansion plans.
The public hearing which began at the Sports Authority of Goa ground at Chicalim on Friday morning continued on Saturday. About 37 speakers were lined up for the hearing, but a few of them were absent on Saturday.
Those who spoke at the public hearing included Capt Viriato Fernandes, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) General Secretary Olencio Simoes, Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Cooperative Society Limited (OCFCOCSL) President Custodio D’Souza, former Vasco mayor Madeline Periera, journalists Elvino Araujo and Avinash Tavares.
South Goa Collector Tariq Thomas has invited all speakers on Monday morning to check the minutes of the hearing, to ascertain if the speakers were satisfied with the minutes and to add, if needed, some submissions which had been omitted.
Capt Viriato Fernandes highlighted that despite India being a signatory to the United Nations Declaration that stipulates prior and informed consent of the indigenous communities before approving the project, the project proponent MPT had failed to follow the UN declaration and instead the project, if approved, would displace the fishing community forever and lead to their loss of livelihood.
He said that it was an irony that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on one hand was honoured with a UN award as “Champion of the Earth” and
