Eustace wants matters settled at Buccament

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace is calling on the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines to urge Harlequin Investments to honour its financial commitments to employees and contractors at the Buccament Bay Resort.{{more}}

The call came at a press conference on Wednesday, during which Eustace responded to statements made by Minister of Transport and Works Julian Francis, as quoted in the June 1 edition of SEARCHLIGHT, concerning the payments that are to be made by the project’s owners, Harlequin.

“Based on reports received, we do not agree with the statement made by Senator Julian Francis, that the nonpayment of workers arises solely because contractors have not completed their work, and consequently have not been paid, and are themselves unable to pay their workers.

“We are informed that the non-payments or delayed payments extend to some project employees as well.

“There exists the concern manifested by a number of local lawsuits filed against the project by contractors who claim not to have been paid in part or at all, we also know of the numerous disgruntled workers who claim not to have been paid their wages.

Eustace acknowledged that the problems that seem to be plaguing the project are not only local.

He disclosed that a number of international clients of Harlequin are seeking to recover their investment funds in projects in Thailand and other parts of the world.

According to Eustace, if the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines wants to attract investors to the country, attention must be paid to the concerns of the local contractors and workers and those who are seeking to recover their investments in the project.

“The Government cannot ignore the cries of those who seek to recover their monies. We must maintain an appropriate investment climate.

“We don’t have sufficient funds in our country to do all of the developments that are needed to improve the standard of living of our people, and therefore when these activities that we are discussing occur, we must be seen to be taking action in that regard. That sends a good signal to other would-be investors that you are concerned with the quality and climate of investment in our country.

“We cannot stand aside… because if the project were to close for some reason, then … many more difficulties will arise.”