An online petition asking for public consultation, full disclosure and accountability into the proposed development of Sandals Resort in Tobago has garnered over 2,000 signatures and 9,000 views in the last five days.
Once the petition reaches 3,000 signatures its organiser, Dedan Daniel, will hand it over the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in a bid to force them to come clean with Tobagonians before making any drastic decisions on the project.
By Monday, Daniel, a nature seeker and businessman of Lambeau, anticipates the petition would be delivered to the THA.
Initially, Daniel said he had hoped for 500 signatures, but was surprised by the public’s overwhelming response on social media.
Not only has the petition attracted the attention of hundreds of Tobagonians, Daniel, 44, said people from Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Austria and Germany are also in support of his move.
He said many of the regional and international signatories had visited Tobago.
“The petition has gone global now. The majority of people who signed are for the concept of accountability,” Daniel said.
“So far, the leadership of the THA is silent on this major development.
“In defence of good governance, democracy and to protect the heritage of the people of Tobago, I am asking the THA to commence full and complete disclosure on these plans and to host public discussions as a matter of urgent public importance among stakeholders to get their views on this major project,” the petition stated.
Daniel said the news by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley recently that Tobago was earmarked for a 750-room Sandals Resort, as Government moves to make the island a tourism destination, came like a thief in the night, which led him to start the petition on June 18.
“I felt things were being kept a secret from us Tobagonians,” Daniel said. He said talks had already surfaced that No Man’s Land would be the ideal site to construct the hotel once the deal with Sandals Resorts founder and chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart, the People’s National Movement and THA is sealed.
Sandals has opened its doors in Antigua, Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and Turks and Caicos.
Daniel feels No Man’s Land which stretches out in front of the Bon Accord Lagoon and has a breathtaking view, should be left untouched for seabathers, beachgoers and fisherfolk to enjoy.
“Tobago is a small place. Development at No Man’s Land could have major social, cultural and environmental impacts.
“The Peoples National Movement ran the last general election on the principles of accountability and good governance.
“I find that a major project like this they should have engaged the people and stakeholders.”
On Tuesday, THA’s chief secretary Orville London insisted that No Man’s Land would remain a public space.
Secretary of Tourism and Transportation in the THA Tracy Davidson-Celestine, in an T&T Guardian article on Tuesday, said discussions with Sandals “are continuing. It is still in its early stages.”
The best location for Sandals, Daniel argued was on the northeastern side of Tobago, since most of Tobago’s development was concentrated on the southwest part of the island.
“We have to ensure that we don’t give away the baby with the bath water in terms of the types of concessions offered for the investments,” said Daniel, a lecturer in entrepreneurship, financial management and marketing at Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies and College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of T&T.
He insisted that he was not against the resort, since it would bring great benefits to the island and people, but wanted THA to have open lines of communication with citizens, which they were not doing.
Daniel said he knew he could be victimised on his job for being vocal, but was willing to face the consequences.
“There is a perception of victimisation that can occur. I trust in myself and in the Lord.”
Several calls yesterday to Davidson-Celestine and London’s cellphones for a comment went unanswered.