Canouan controversy, work of one man – Elena Korach

The controversy that had been brewing last week in Canouan was the work of one man and his sprinkling of supporters, who are habouring ill-will towards the Canouan Resort Development Company (CRD).{{more}}

This is the view of Elena Korach, General Manager of CCA Limited, which is the construction subsidiary CRD.

Korach was speaking to SEARCHLIGHT in response to concerns raised by Canouan resident Terry Bynoe because Kelectric/Kelcom has been ordered to stop stone crushing activities on the site of the Canouan Airport and marina project.

Bynoe led a two-day roadside protest with about 10 persons last week, claiming that the order given to electric/Kelcom was part of the developers’ plan to stifle the progress of locals.

SEARCHLIGHT visited Canouan earlier this week and met with Bynoe.

He claims that Kelectric/ Kelcom had been doing a service to the locals by selling crushed stones at a reasonable price, empowering many, who could not previously afford to build homes and do expansions to existing properties.

He suggested that the developers, who were the suppliers of imported crushed stones, sold the stones at a much higher price and on an inconsistent basis because stones were only sold to residents, if excess remained outside of CCA’s demands.

SEARCHLIGHT, however, came in possession of copies of correspondence between CCA limited, Kelectric/Kelcom and the government and spoke to Korach, of CCA Limited, from which the other side of the story emerged.

Kelectric/Kelcom had been a sub-contractor dealing with the earthworks for the recent Canouan Jet Port Project under CCA Limited. Kelectric/Kelcom’s responsibilites included the blasting of Glossy Hill.

Korach explained to SEARCHLIGHT that in the original lease given to CRD by Government, CRD was not allowed to crush stones on Canouan, but was given permission to blast and crush for this particular project.

“Because, obviously, the airport is a facility that is being paid for by Government, it is in the interest of every Vincentian to keep the price low,” Korach said.

So Kelectric/Kelcom, as part of their sub-contract, operated the quarry on behalf of CCA.

Korach alleges that while working on the airport, the sub-contractors were operating a parallel business, selling the aggregate, boulders and stones, not only to locals, but to projects in Mustique, Buccament and Mayreau.

She said that subsequently, on request, Kelectric/Kelcom got permission from the Government to remove a certain amount of the boulders, while the project was going on. This operation was to have ceased once the project ended.

On August 8, 2008, Chief Engineer Brent Bailey, in a letter to Kelectric/Kelcom, informed them that the Ministry of Transport and Works “has issued the Certificate of Partial Completion for the Canouan Jet Port Project to CCA Limited on 18th July, 2008.”

“We, therefore, instruct you to discontinue blasting of the Glossy Hill…stone crushing operations, removal of boulders.”

Korach dismissed Bynoe’s conspiracy theory.

She spoke of a special deal being offered to local land owners as one area of proof of their commitment to the betterment of the people of Canouan.

Under this special deal, local land owners, who may not be financially able to construct houses, can have houses built on their land, and their mortgages paid for 15 years, while the houses are used for rental to CRD workers.

After 15 years, the houses would be turned over fully to the owners.

Over 20 such houses have been built and arrangements are currently being made for another six persons who are interested.

Additionally, the developers continue to lease houses from locals and in turn rent these houses to their employees.

Korach said that the developers are not interested in providing housing for their workers at the exclusion of local residents, and dismissed any such talk.

It was in November 2000 that Terry Bynoe first crossed swords with the developers, when he led a protest in regard to access for locals to the beaches in the area of the resort.

He was beaten by Israeli security guards at the Canouan Resort, who claimed that he had trespassed on to the resort’s compound.

A restraining order has since been placed on Bynoe, barring him from any of the CCA’s compounds.

Korach is convinced that Bynoe is still carrying animosity towards the developers, and is, therefore, willing to use any issue, even without proper investigations, to stir up an issue.

When Searchlight contacted Kelectric/Kelcom, we were told that they did not wish to comment on the matter.