On November 6, members of the TT Aggregate Producers Alliance (TTAPA) staged a protest at National Quarries Ltd in Turure, Sangre Grande, calling for urgent government intervention to address what they describe as a ‘crippling’ regulatory vacuum. The protest, closely monitored by police, saw the arrest of at least one individual for disorderly conduct. TTAPA President Nigel Tenia led the demonstration, accusing the state-owned National Quarries of operating without a valid processing licence under the Minerals Act of 2000. Tenia emphasized that the alliance’s 24 members unanimously decided to suspend operations earlier this week to raise public awareness and protect themselves from potential criminal charges. He highlighted the sector’s precarious position, noting that legitimate operators are technically in breach of the law due to the absence of processing licences. Tenia called on Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal, Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John, and Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro to investigate National Quarries’ licensing status and enforce regulations uniformly across the industry. Moonilal later issued a statement acknowledging receipt of TTAPA’s October 28 letter but denied the group’s claim that no company has obtained a processing licence. The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) asserted that it has granted numerous licences in recent years and has actively engaged with operators to address licensing concerns. However, the ministry did not specify which companies hold licences or address TTAPA’s allegation that National Quarries continues to operate without one. TTAPA warned that the licensing impasse threatens thousands of jobs and could delay national construction projects, as the sector remains ‘suffocated by bureaucracy.’ The protest is set to continue until the government resolves the 25-year licensing void.