TCL Responds To Mayo Farmers

In response to a protest by some 40 young farmers in the Mayo community, Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) noted that recently there has been incidents of land-grabbing, resulting in violence between new squatters and people who have arrangements with TCL to occupy and farm on the company's land. TCL said they intervened to restore order in the area and asked people who do not have formal, historical arrangements with the company to vacate the lands it owns. TCL General Manager, Guillermo Rojo, said they want to create peace and are letting residents know they are currently looking at regularising the occupied land for interested members of the community to be part of an agri-entrepreneurship programme. TCL is also in the process of creating a new project called the Mayo Environmental Restoration Programme, which will require labour input from the residents. It will involve the rehabilitation of trees, plus the development of a nearby nursery and garden. This, they believe, will ultimately address some identified issues within the community while providing opportunities for residents to take part in larger conservation initiatives.