Heritage Petroleum has responded to media reports regarding a chicken farm on its land at Lowkie Trace, Penal.
Anthony Cornwall says last week he was visited by armed men in black SUVs, who allegedly threatened to demolish his farm if he did not pay the owner of the land.
In a statement, Heritage said despite taking steps to address the illegal occupation of the lands located at Lowkie Trace, Charlo Village, Penal, with notices sent on March 5 and the April 20, the occupiers have continued their operations.
Heritage said the situation also poses significant health risks, due to its close proximity to oil pipelines, a production station and a compressor station.
The company stated: “It is therefore in breach of setback distances which have been outlined by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, and poses a significant health and safety risk to not only the trespassers, but also to neighbouring communities.”
Heritage said its Legal and Security Business Units have been actively involved in the matter since January 31.
Addressing the farm operator’s claim that he was left in fear after the conduct of people acting on behalf of the company, Heritage said the actions of the personnel in addressing the illegal activity is both authorised and closely monitored. The company said this ensures that there’s no room for any untoward demands or behaviour on the part of its personnel.
The company said by law, it’s within its rights to demolish the chicken farm.
The Miscellaneous Provisions (Heritage Petroleum, Paria Fuel Trading and Guaracara Refining Vesting) Act, 2018, and the Petroleum Act, authorises Heritage to protect its assets and operations, by means including but not limited to the removal of illegal structures.
Heritage added that Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited (TPHL), under which Heritage falls, has “an extremely well-documented history of making its non-operational land holdings available to the State, non-governmental organizations, and law-abiding individuals, who make the requisite application and await approval for the appropriate use thereof, including but not limited to farming.”
Heritage said it will continue to actively monitor and take the necessary steps with respect to any trespass, especially when these actions pose health and safety risks.
The company reinforced that its operations are high-risk and all precautions to protect life and assets ought to be taken seriously.