FAT Boy Coconut Ventures, which had closed its doors indefinitely, will soon restart operations with new systems in place to ensure that they comply with environmental regulations.

The coconut factory, which is located in the Pomeroon, was closed by its owners, leaving almost 300 coconut farmers out of business and contemplating their next move.
Fat Boy Coconut Ventures, which is managed by Alphonso and Sons Enterprise, was required to pay a $1M to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for dumping husks and shells in surrounding waterways.

The company had reportedly dumped an estimated 15,000 coconut shells into the canals that flow into the Pomeroon River.

“The company has agreed to pay the fine… we have since been in discussion with them and we are making progress… they are working closely with us and putting a plan together,” said Executive Director of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

The EPA has said that the shells and husks were a major contributor to flooding in certain villages and more so, it posed a hazard to the waterways, since residents rely on the river for their livelihood.

In order to make sure that they comply with environmental regulations and refrain from dumping coconut shells and husks, the company will be procuring technology which will turn waste into energy.

“They are looking at those options… and they are looking at what to do with coconut waste, in terms of re-using it… they are working closely with us and cooperating and they have been forthcoming with information,” said Dr. Adams.

The company is readjusting operations and putting systems in place to ensure that they stay in line with environmental regulations.
Dr. Adams said the company is changing their operations, but it is going to take some time to be fully compliant.

“If they have not resumed operations it would be very soon, they are and they have been working,” he said.

He believes that the company will not only return to operation, but will also be better because they will have state-of-the-art technology.