Trinidad says it will not halt highway project over activist’s vow to resume hunger strike

PORT-OF-SPAIN _ Trinidad & Tobago’s government says it will not halt a highway extension project to prevent an environmental activist from resuming a hunger strike.

In December 2012, activist Wayne Kublalsingh went on a hunger strike for 21 days arguing the Point Fortin highway extension would fracture the lives of families and severely degrade wetlands. He called off his protest after an independent review of the project was undertaken.

But the government’s plans for the roadway were not scrapped.

On Sept. 3, Kublasingh threatened to go on another hunger strike within two weeks if the government did not halt the highway extension.

But in a Sunday statement, the government said it has told the activist and his Re-Route Movement that the state will continue construction and “cannot accede to his request.”