Canouan people have better quality of life since the resort – Sir James

A former prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is of the opinion that had Canouan taken on board the same development model that was employed in Mustique, many of the issues afflicting Canouan residents and developers may have been avoided today.

Sir James Mitchell, founder of the New Democratic Party (NDP) made this assertion while speaking on the morning programme on Boom {{more}} SVG 106.9 radio station last Tuesday, April 26.

“The biggest mistake Canouan made, in my personal view, was not to follow the Mustique model of development. I think they should have concentrated on villas up in the resort, and leave the hotel there down in Tamarind. That’s my personal view.”

In particular, Sir James spoke on the issues of land sales and access to public beaches in the Southern Grenadine island that is causing many of its citizens to be disgruntled.

In regard to sale of lands in Canouan, Mitchell refuted the accusations from some members of the public that the Government has been illegally selling lands for decades – even under his administration.

“People don’t care about facts. They come to opinions and put it out like gospel without getting the facts. First of all, how did Canouan come into government possession?” he questioned.

The former prime minister explained that during British colonial rule, the island of Canouan was ceded to the Snagg family, who then, in later years, sold it to the imperial government of SVG – a sale that is well-documented within the national records.

Mitchell also noted that in 1965, Canouan was leased to an individual named Rupert Findlay; but this lease was eventually voided because he neglected to fulfill all the clauses within the contract.

“I personally retrieved Canouan for the people of Canouan,” he insisted. “Nothing was done to Canouan [to develop it] during the time that I was in Opposition.”

In the past, Sir James has also been accused of being allowed to purchase lands in Canouan at a price that was significantly below the market value at that time – something he vehemently denied while speaking on the radio programme.

“I paid higher than what the local people paid for it!”

On the topic of beach access for locals, the former prime minister said that this is a common issue that crops up all over the Caribbean region; and the only way to resolve it is to find common ground among all parties involved through extensive dialogue.

“It has to be resolved in the interest of the developers, in the interest of the tourist and the interest of the local people.”

Sir James pointed out that those who are protesting against the current ways of accessing certain beaches in Canouan must be mindful that development on the island also benefits them, so compromises will have to be made by all involved.

“A lot of those who are protesting, I would like to ask them… do they have a better quality of life now as a result of that resort or not? Did not Terry Bynoe have a trucking business, and who paid him with his trucking business? Terry has houses in Canouan. How did he get them?”

Mitchell also said that he had observed a relative of his taking part in the protests, who has benefitted from renting accommodation (for $2,000 per month) to the workers employed by the resort development company.

“I have never seen that fella in a swimsuit in my life!”

Additionally, he pointed out that for the developers/investors beach access for locals boils down to the task of keeping guests safe.

“People don’t come to this place to be abused or to lose their life. Security is a serious matter,” said Sir James.

“We have a unique opportunity to attract a lot of tourism and investment in this country; provided people feel safe.” (JSV)