BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A former Tourism Minister has expressed concern about the development occurring at the Southeast Peninsula (SEP) and claimed that locals are not benefitting as much as they should.
Dwyer Astaphan, Parliamentary Representative for Central Basseterre, said it is unfair for SEP landowners to tie up the land with speculative measures. According to Astaphan, there must be some initiative mandating these owners to develop the land.
“When I was in government, I pushed for a non-use surcharge to be imposed on the SEP lands. The motivation was to spur landowners to seek development,” he explained. “Too many of them are tying up the lands. I have a problem with landowners, local or otherwise, who sit on massive acreages of land and speculate on them in this little country. I am concerned that all these lands are being bought and nothing of substance is being delivered to the Federation’s people.”
He pointed to the Christophe Harbour development as an example of a tourism project that was not redounding to the population’s overall benefit.
“There have been sales of land at Christophe Harbour for people to build homes. If that is the thrust of the development, how long will it take for the country to feel the advantages? Yes, the people who buy property down there must benefit and be embraced as part of the national community, but our nationals must also be enhanced.”
Added Astaphan: “I am told that some people who have bought land have brought in their own contractors. These developers are bringing in their own heavy-duty equipment and they get duty-free concession on these parts while local heavy-equipment operators do not enjoy the same benefit. Our operators have the same skills and desires and they need to be given a fair shot at these projects.”
The parliamentary representative stressed that unless this chance was given, persons would continue to feel marginalised and excluded. He noted this would result in an unmotivated labour force and urged the government to protect local workers in future agreements.
“Whereas we should be developing skilled trade people, we’re not, because people are coming in and taking up those jobs. It should be legislated in every development agreement that our local contractors must be given first priority at projects. Developers would have to prove their incapability before they outsource,” said Astaphan.
“What is the value of citizenship if you can’t get some priority in your country? We invest millions into our young people and we must give them the opportunity to make a living and give that back to the country. We have to safeguard the interests of our people,” he declared.
