Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Government Accused of Siding with Polluter

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Oct 20 2008 (IPS) - The 55 organizations that make up the Greater Alliance for Omoa, on the Honduran Atlantic coast, accused the Manuel Zelaya government of favoring the Gas del Caribe company, which has been charged with pollution violations. Four months ago the government asked the Alliance for an extension to verify the irregularities reported against the company, “but that was just to gain time. Apparently the new minister of environment (Tomás Barquero) hired a consultant paid by Gas del Caribe,” activist Máximo Parissi told Tierramérica.

The environmentalists believe the delay was to give time for a new environmental permit authorization for the Mexican transnational that for two decades has operated in the Eden-like area of Omoa, causing severe environmental damage, according to reports from the Secretariat (Ministry) of Environment.

According to Parissi, the company sells “a volatile and flammable fuel, inappropriate for tropical climates,” and which at any time “could cause a tragedy.”