Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Opposition MP says Sandals has been given unfair advantage
St Clair Leacock
News
March 1, 2024

Opposition MP says Sandals has been given unfair advantage

Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown, St Clair Leacock, has knocked the government for failing to create what he has described as a “harmonious balance” between the interest of the country and those of foreign investors.

His comments were made in relation to the supply of fish to Sandals Resort which is expected to be officially opened on March 27, 2024.

It was revealed by Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, during a Star Radio programme earlier in February that the Resort would be buying fish and produce from individuals, but “would rather be making purchase through Rainforest Seafood at Calliaqua”.

In response, president of the National Fisherfolk Organization, Winsbert Harry described the PM’s comments as a “disadvantage towards the fisherfolks in St Vincent and the Grenadines”.

Leacock, speaking at a New Democratic Party press conference on February 21, 2024, said the government is responsible for regulating how business operates and one entity must not be given preference over citizens.

“You cannot have a society where you invite in foreign investments and end up in a situation of a government within a government. Government must have regulations and it must always have societal interests at heart even while it is promoting a private sector. A private sector cannot be allowed to be laws unto themselves and to be given by, in this case, artificial rents. That is, they having a monopoly or special provisions out of tax incentives, such that they are unfair to the housewife, they are unfair to fisherfolk, they are unfair to the government, they are unfair to the government institutions, and they are just swimming in profits. No. There has to be a balance,”Leacock declared.

Both Harry and Leacock expressed confidence in the supply system where the Kingstown Fish Market purchases fish from local vendors, with Leacock describing the arrangement as a “win-win” situation.

“You can’t have a situation where we now suddenly become Sandals and the Grenadines. It has to be St. Vincent and the Grenadines. So that’s the wider and better interest. When we see it come into conflict with government’s role as an arbitrator and it conflicts with the best interests of the man on the street, the housewife, then it is government’s role to intervene.”

Opposition Senator Israel Bruce, also speaking at the press conference said Rainforest was “invited in with the view that they will assist with the export of fish and fish products out of SVG”. He said Sandals’ priority in the country should be on “local consumption”.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Jones ought to be found guilty, says Prosecutor
    Front Page
    Jones ought to be found guilty, says Prosecutor
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    THE PROSECUTOR in a court case where Radio DJ, Christopher Jones, aka 2-Kool Chris, has been charged for wounding, has argued that Jones’ actions were...
    Defense counsel argues ‘2-Kool Chris’ acted in self defense
    Front Page
    Defense counsel argues ‘2-Kool Chris’ acted in self defense
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    THE LAWYER representing Christopher Jones also known as ‘2 Kool Chris’ in a wounding matter, asked the court this week whether his client was supposed...
    Free Movement Legislation gets full nod of approval
    Front Page
    Free Movement Legislation gets full nod of approval
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    ON MONDAY, September 28, 2025, Members of Parliament gave full support to two pieces of legislation having to do with the free movement of people amon...
    Prefab homes being erected in the Southern Grenadines
    Front Page
    Prefab homes being erected in the Southern Grenadines
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    SEVERAL ISSUES in the Southern Grenadines relating to land ownership and terrain have been identified as being responsible for slowing the government’...
    Flag raising and fireworks kick off Independence Month celebrations
    Front Page
    Flag raising and fireworks kick off Independence Month celebrations
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    A FLAG RAISING and lighting ceremony on Wednesday evening, October 1, 2025 marked the start of month-long activities to celebrate this country’s 46th ...
    PM concerned over growing US-Venezuela tensions
    News
    PM concerned over growing US-Venezuela tensions
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    PRIME MINISTER, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has expressed concern about “dire consequences for our region” should there be any escalation in tensions between ...
    News
    PM concerned over growing US-Venezuela tensions
    News
    PM concerned over growing US-Venezuela tensions
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    PRIME MINISTER, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has expressed concern about “dire consequences for our region” should there be any escalation in tensions between ...
    Maduro says Venezuelans are calm, but ready to defend themselves
    News
    Maduro says Venezuelans are calm, but ready to defend themselves
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    DESPITE THE PRESENCE of warships from the United States of America on its doorsteps, and at least one nuclear submarine, life goes on as usual in Vene...
    Dr Friday promises no victimisation under his NDP Administration
    News
    Dr Friday promises no victimisation under his NDP Administration
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    AS GENERAL ELECTIONS in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), draws closer Leader of the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), Dr. Godwin Friday is pr...
    Lawyers to engage secondary school students as part of Law Week activities
    News
    Lawyers to engage secondary school students as part of Law Week activities
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    THIS YEAR, as part of the local law week, students from six schools will be given the opportunity to engage lawyers on topics of their (students) choo...
    HR Executive and Leadership Coach launches bite-size advice series and online Hub
    News
    HR Executive and Leadership Coach launches bite-size advice series and online Hub
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    HUMAN RESOURCES practitioner, Karen James, last weekend launched her long-anticipated BiteSize advice series, a collection of nine impactful books des...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok