To the opposition’s chagrin the gradual and managed growth in tourism has outstripped all the carefully laid plans of mice and men. In fact if one is not careful, the island’s fragile ecosystem could be put at risk by too rapid and persistent, tourism expansion. This should be a genuine concern for those who profess an interest in politics. Balancing economic growth with job creation and the protection and enhancement of the environment is a challenge which cannot be conveniently swept away or wished away.
Since its early outburst on the subject of Hewanorra airport expansion, the opposition appears to have consulted wiser counsel, and little is heard from them on the need for the Hewanorra expansion project. Now the emphasis appears on the manner of selection of contractors. Perhaps the opposition is also being canvassed by contractors for a piece of this four hundred and fifty million dollar pie. They have not said so explicitly, but the opposition would gladly accept the mandate to build, if it were passed to their hands. Having previously enjoyed government, they ought to know first hand what such large projects can mean for those in charge. Fortunately, for the present cabinet, no one has forgotten the last Commission of Enquiry report and the scathing criticisms leveled at the former government, for cost over runs. The opposition’s anxieties therefore comes as no surprise as they, more than anyone else, would appreciate the pitfalls of negotiating with certain international scoundrels, posing as contractors. The opposition and its new-friends may also wish to forewarn the government on how it deals with certain contractors. It is all to the good and they should be credited for doing their job.
The headline ‘Enter Herzog’ in the Voice paper of Saturday 14 August 2010 should be closely monitored. Reading between the lines it appears that that particular ‘Voice reporter’ has been privy to more information than many. Yet one detects a certain liberal frolicking there, charged with innuendoes and buttressed by speculation. Perhaps at this stage one must be charitable and assume that the ‘Voice reporter’ is merely warning against the authorities finding themselves in hot water on account of their newness and assumed innocence. It bears repeating that, based on experience the parliamentary opposition ought to be in a strong position to caution the government, in its negotiations. More than this, the opposition is on solid ground in placing all such warnings in its debates in parliament.
There is little doubt that the awarding of the contract for the development of Hewanorra airport is a contentious issue. Some of it is apparently sour grapes. Others may well raise questions needing answers. The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, which has direct responsibility for the expansion of the southern airport, has assured the public that they will select the best deal for the island. Even so, the manner of selection of the bidders for the contract has come under fire, by skeptics – and one suspects certain mal-contents – desirous of work.
There may be difficulty in ascribing an impure motive to the management at the port authority. At this point a personal experience when I served in parliament (1974 to 1997) may be useful. During that time, I received telephone calls from individuals from far and wide, whom I had not met, and did not know. Yet some of these calls invited me to dinner at named restaurants on the island. So what does a Minister of the government do if invited out on the grounds there may be an opportunity for investment on the island? Answer: He /she takes along an official of the Ministry to all such dinners and meetings. There will always be international gangsters and dealers stalking the region, aiming to use politicians for profit. They will never stop trying to corrupt governments and the institutions of the State. The conscientious citizen along with the parliamentary opposition must therefore do all it can to save their country from the clutches of these international gangsters.
It is in this sense that the each citizen and resident must constantly be on the look out for politicians and their friends who put personal greed ahead of the needs of the people. And if the ‘silly season’ has officially opened, then it is an even better time to focus more closely on who and what is presented on political platforms, at this time. Specifically, we must be on the look out for those who place personal greed ahead of national needs.

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