Lobo says will take people of Saligao into confidence on plant expansion

Minister for Waste Management, Ports and RDA Michael Lobo on Thursday ripped apart the “opportunist” politicians, who he said were playing garbage politics for their political survival.
While criticising the politicians for misguiding the people of Saligao and Goa, Lobo also assured the people of Saligao that he would consult them and clear their doubts before any further action is taken by the government.
He said the Saligao plant was set up by all taking all the clearances like EIA, EC after public hearing and also getting the area designated as industrial zone with change of zone from orchard to industrial.
“I understand that now there were genuine problems of people of Orda, Saipem, parts of Pilerne, Saligao of a foul smell from the plant. This is because the 100 tonne capacity plant was getting 150, 200, 230 tonnes a day,” he said.
The plant was designed and designated for only 27 panchayats but slowly the waste started coming from entire beach belt through a contractor appointed directly by the Tourism department, hence in the season the waste went up.
“Besides this, Panjim and Taleigao also started sending waste which was around 15 tonnes. So the waste which was coming to the plant was exceeding the capacity of 100 tonnes and closed 200 tonnes at times. This is when the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) decided that there should be an increase in capacity. Then the question was How much? As we were already receiving 180-190 or 200 tonnes,” he explained.
The minister said that it was then decided to expand plant to 250 tonnes.
“A proposal was sent to the cabinet and it was approved before I become a minister. I was the director of GWMC then and was aware of all this. I strongly opposed the expansion and categorically told the GWMC meeting that a similar plant should come in South Goa, and work on Baiguinim plant should start to start to cater to Panjim, Tswadi and Ponda taluka. Unless this is assured, I told them I am against the expansion,” he narrated.
Despite this, Lobo said the expansion was approved in January 2019 and has been ratified now.
“I again say this today, before expansion of this plant we want Cocora plant to get ready, work on Bainguinim and Verna must start. But there is oppositions for all plants,” he says.
The minister says he will take people of Saligao, people of Pilerne into confidence before expansion of the plant.
“This plant is going to be only for 27 panchayats of North Goa coastal belt. Saligao plant cannot take the garbage of entire Goa. Once the work starts at Cacora, I will be satisfied. The money for Cacora plant is come from NABARD,” he disclosed.
Lobo further urged the people and politicians not to hurry in accusing one another.
“I strongly believe that this is nothing but the fight for survival of some lost politicians. They see the garbage issue as a platform to revive their political future,” he stated adding former MLAs like Agnel Fernandes and Jayesh Salgaocar,and many other rejected politicians are trying their best to misguide people but people are intelligent enough to understand what is good and what is not.
“They are not fighting for the people’s cause but for self interest of survival in politics. People know history and will not believe in them. The plant was the best thing to happen to Goa otherwise the garbage was thrown everywhere on coastal belt. Today Anjuna panchayat got the cleanest panchayat award because they realised that if they keep the area clean they will get more tourists,” he says.
Further, he appealed to the people not to fall prey to their misguiding talks.
“They are misguiding you. Let us wait and see. Let the plants at Cacora and Bainguinim come. We will increase the capacity only based on requirement,” he said.
He said there is a committee set up by NGT, which will be taken into confidence before work starts.
“We will take the people and committee into confidence. I am not going to bulldoze thoughts of the people. Whatever you have said and raised apprehensions, we will look into it and not keep you in the dark but don’t protest because these politicians want you to do so,” he appealed to the residents.
He said that he heard people have decided to submit a memorandum to the Chief Ministers as well as him.
“We will have a meeting with you and definitely we will come out with the best solution for Goa and Goans,” he said.
He said his concern as Waste Management Minister is that waste should not pollute our water bodies and public places.\\