Rayneau Construction Group has once again found itself at the center of controversy, this time in Grenada, as environmentalists and residents raise concerns over the company’s projects on the island.
The St Lucia-based construction firm, which has been involved in large-scale infrastructure projects across the Caribbean, is now facing strong opposition in two Grenadian communities.
The Grenada government contracted Rayneau to reconstruct a major section of the western main road in the Molinere community.
However, beyond this government-sanctioned project, the company has been expanding its footprint by constructing a concrete batching plant in Woodford and erecting a hot mix asphalt plant in Beausejour – both of which have sparked outcry among residents.
In Woodford, residents claim the construction of the concrete batching plant violates local planning regulations and was undertaken without any community consultation.
Christilyn Henry, a resident of over 30 years, expressed concerns about environmental degradation and the negative impact on the quality of life for those living nearby.
“This is a huge project. There’s going to be emissions and based on the laws of Grenada and international standards, they are supposed to consult us,” said Henry.
She also noted that at least one individual had abandoned plans to build a home in Woodford due to the plant’s construction.
Additionally, there are fears that a new road being opened by Rayneau from the main road to the coast could impact historical sites in the area, including a Boucan, an old mill, and an aqueduct dating back to the slavery era.
Rayneau’s Chief Engineer in Grenada has denied allegations that a port is being built in Woodford, stating instead that the road construction is for the purpose of surveying the land acquired by the company.
But despite this denial, a senior company official accompanied divers to the area to conduct an underwater exploration believed to be in preparation for setting up a facility to accommodate the company’s badges.
Meanwhile, in Beausejour, residents are equally troubled by the newly established asphalt plant, citing potential health hazards associated with emissions that are associated with air pollution.
The plant is located near a pre-school, a playing field, a social housing project, and several private residences.
Scientific studies have shown that pollutants from asphalt plants can travel up to two miles, releasing harmful emissions into the air.
A check with the Grenada Planning Authority confirmed that Rayneau Construction Group has not obtained the necessary planning permissions for the asphalt plant, the cement plant, or the road construction at Woodford.
Despite this, work on the projects has continued unabated. Authorities issued an enforcement notice against Rayneau on June 12, 2024, months after construction on the cement plant had already begun.
However, it wasn’t until November 5, 2024, that Rayneau submitted the required drawings for the plant – well beyond the 28-day compliance period stipulated in Grenada’s Planning Act.
Under the law, the Planning and Development Authority could have taken Rayneau to court or demolished the illegal structures but chose instead to request a “scope” document to determine whether an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is necessary.
As of now, the company allegedly remains in violation of the Planning and Development Authority Act.
Property owners seeking transparency have also been met with silence. Henry, speaking on behalf of ten property owners, stated that they sent a formal request on January 17, 2025, asking to review Rayneau’s documents but have received no response from the Planning Authority.
“This silence from Planning, their failure to cooperate, to give information – that too is illegal. They are breaking the law as much as Rayneau is, and it is going to have dire consequences on this community,” Henry stated.
A spokesperson for Grenada Land Actors expressed dismay at the lack of transparency regarding the development of the industrial plant in Woodford.
“Planning Development Authority does not seem to know or understand their remit, or even how to implement the law relating to the Authority.”
“This is despite having been challenged in the Courts for the very same thing. It is seriously disheartening to hear of such absence of competence from a body which is charged with the protection of our sustainable and natural resources through the employment of ESIA’s and community consultations. It seems, neither have been implemented once again.”
Member of Parliament for St John Kerryne James, in whose district the cement batching plant has been constructed, told concerned property owners that she was unaware of what is happening, adding that the property is private and the owners are free to do whatever they wish without interference.
Rayneau Construction Group has previously faced similar opposition in other Caribbean nations because of health and safety concerns. In 2017, a tragic accident at one of its quarry sites in Cul de Sac, St. Lucia, resulted in four fatalities and twenty injuries.
Investigations by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed that the explosion occurred after a welding torch was used on a shipping container storing explosives. The company’s license to use explosives was subsequently suspended.
More recently, in 2022, Rayneau faced backlash in St Vincent and the Grenadines over the construction of a quarry in North Leeward.
Residents there also complained of a lack of consultation, and the company was accused of clearing land under cultivation, including cocoa trees, to facilitate road construction for its stone mining operations.
Grenada’s Land Actors and The Nature Conservancy have taken an interest in the matter, and Henry believes legal action may be necessary to hold Rayneau accountable.
“A document published online by Rayneau talks about ongoing monitoring, community engagement, and environmental stewardship as part of their ‘Green Initiatives.’
Yet in Grenada, they have ignored regulations and failed to engage with any of the communities affected,” she noted.
As concerns continue to mount, residents, environmental groups, and legal experts are calling for immediate government intervention to ensure compliance with environmental laws and planning regulations.
