December 5th, 2009 Hon. Tillman Thomas Prime Minister Hon. Glynis Roberts Minister of Tourism Hon. Peter David Member of Parliament, Town of St. George/ Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon . Joseph Gilbert Minister of Communications and Works Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Ministers, Re Zublin’s St. George’s Renaissance Project I regret, that following my letter of October 17th on the above-referenced matter, I must once again write to you – this time to seek clarification on WHO or WHAT is really in charge in this country, in the face of a continuing pronouncements by Zublin’s Chief Executive Officer, Dick Van Dyke, who continues to act “large and in charge”. During the tenure of the NNP regime, it is a question that I also had to ask of then Hon. Brenda Hood and the Deputy Prime Minister Gregory Bowen and I am appalled that I now have to ask the same question of our government of “change”. Over the last week, I have read and heard the report about a presentation made by the representatives of Zublin Grenada Ltd. to officials of the Ministry of Works led by Hon. Joseph Gilbert including a report coming from the public relations officer of the Ministry of Communications. One such report – Hundreds of Jobs promised by Zublin, on page 3 of the Grenada Informer, issue of Friday, December 4th, 2009 advises as follows: * Zublin claims that some 350 construction jobs will be created over three (3) years of the project. * The Company is also forecasting that on completion of the St. George’s Renaissance Project, an additional 300.000 passengers will be visiting Grenada resulting in “sustainable new jobs” for 2500 Grenadians. * The project plans will be reviewed by an advisory committee chaired by Nigel Renwick. Following the review, a recommendation will be made to Prime Minster Hon. Tillman and his Cabinet. * Zublin’s plans include building a new vendors’ market, restoring the Market Square, SETTING UP A CASINO, and constructing a ring road connecting the Carenage and Melville Street. * The developers have also earmarked the Carenage for a major facelift and want to reclaim lands for the extension of the bus terminal and build a second cruise ship jetty. Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Ministers, permit me the following observations and queries: 1. I have understood the Hon. Prime Minister to have publicly though unofficially indicated his opposition to casino gambling as a means of job creation. When will you Hon. Prime Minister, STAMP YOUR AUTHORITY, on this matter by making an official public statement. And why is Mr. Van Dyke and company still waging a campaign for the casino gambling as part of the St. George’s Renaissance Project? 2. WHO has set up this Committee headed by Mr. Nigel Renwick to ADVISE (??!!) Cabinet and WHO are the MEMBERS of this committee? Is this committee a Cabinet-appointed committee or is it a Zublin –appointed committee? Is dog wagging tail or is TAIL WAGGING DOG? 3. That this Committee is chaired by Mr. Nigel Renwick is most ALARMING. Mr. Renwick, associated with TVA consultants ,was/is one of the principals of the group which proposed a MONSTROSITY called The Residence for a section of Grand Anse beach, in flagrant disregard of the recommendations of the Tourism Master Plan which very clearly stated that the site of the proposed Residence, “the marshland area south of the abandoned Silver Sands Hotel should remain undisturbed as this area helps to retain and filter flood water” - essential for the protection of the reef which in turn protects the Grand Anse beach. Furthermore, when this recommendation of the Tourism Master Plan was brought to the attention of Mr. Renwick appearing on a Sundays with George Grant programme on April 6th, 2008, not only was he seemingly unaware of this recommendation but he was totally dismissive. Furthermore, TVA consultants with which Mr. Renwick is associated, are the architects associated with another monstrosity that is being currently constructed on Church Street, obscuring the view of the Anglican Church Tower Clock from Young Street and from Fort George – clearly demonstrating a lack of sensitivity and respect for the architectural heritage of the street and the Town of St. George. How then can a review of the St. George’s Renaissance Project be entrusted to the review of a Committee chaired by Mr. Renwick? 4. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment: Again, Hon. Prime Minister and Ministers of Government, what about issues of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment? What about financial and economic feasibility studies? If these are demanded by your government in the case of the St. Patrick’s Port project, one assumes that it is an equally applicable demand in the case of the St. George’s Renaissance Project? 5. What are the basis of the claims being made by Zublin in respect of the future benefits of this project? Has the government engaged in a REVIEW of the first phase of the cruise terminal project? What did this project promise to deliver? What did it ACTUALLY deliver? 6. How does the Government of Grenada intend to inform and engage the people, in particular the people of the Town of St. George in any discussion in regards to this project? Do the people of Grenada matter? Through what process/processes does the Government intend to engage “we the people” ? I note that the Tricenntenial Celebration Committee of the Grenada Board of Tourism is having a consultation on the development proposals for the Town of St. George. Is this another means of officially peddling the Zublin propaganda for the St. George’s Renaissance Project? Is this project already a DONE DEAL? 7. Private – public partnership: I have read that the St. George’s Renaissance Project is to be funded through a public –private sector arrangement. What exactly is this hinting at and how will it affect the people of Grenada? 8. Land Reclamation: It would seem, Hon. Prime Minster and Ministers that, in additional to the establishment of a casino gaming facility, Zublin is intent on additional land reclamation. Is the announcement of lay off of workers by Volker Stevin Construction Europe (ref. The Grenada Advocate, issue of Friday, December 4th, 2009) part of what appears to be a propaganda campaign by Zublin to “twist the arm of the government” on the matter of the St. George’s Renaissance Project? Again, permit me to reiterate that among other considerations additional land reclamation in the St. George’s area would serve to increase the vulnerability and risks posed to the St. George’s area, a direct contradiction to the PRUDENT ACTION required in respect of mitigating climate change risks and adapting to climate change. Grenada has a huge party participating in the Copanhagen talks on Climate Change and chairs the Association of Small Island Developing States. Again I ask, “Are our leaders merely concerned about saying the right things in certain regional and international fora or is there a commitment to taking action at home?” What does Grenada’s Climate Change Policy document have to say on the issue of land reclamation and development on coastal areas Threat of Legal Action: Hon. Prime Minister and Ministers of Government, I take the opportunity to advise you that Zublin-Grenada has threatened to institute legal action against me in respect of the letter of October 17th addressed to yourselves on the matter of the St. George’s Renaissance Project, claiming that I made misleading and false statements. I consider this an attempt to intimidate and stifle public dissent and discussion on this matter of public interest and declare that I will not succumb to such intimidation on the part of these “so –called developers” . Importation of Bananas: Finally, Prime Minster and Hon. Ministers, I must express my absolute confusion at the actions of your government which seems intent on pursuing the SAME policies of the NNP regime that it replaced – the selling out the country’s lands and heritage in the name of investment while on the other hand it permits the Marketing and Importing Board, which was set up to assist farmers in the marketing of their produce, to embark on the importation of bananas while your government TALKS about the development of the agricultural sector and the rural economy. There is a CONTRADICTION here that is MIND BOGGLING. Like some others, I too, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Ministers, am beginning to wonder whether our government of change has lost its way? I thank you once again for the opportunity to raise these concerns. Sincerely yours, Sandra C.A. Ferguson.