WHO ‘CHAINED UP’ PM GONZALES AT MANNING BOOK LAUNCH?

ST. VINCENT Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves shocked many in bringing regional politics to last week’s launch of a biography of his late friend Patrick Manning.

In championing an issue, Gonsalves did not provide the full picture regarding a controversial facility by Sandals Resorts International in his Caricom island.

There is speculation about who “chained up” Gonsalves to bring the disputed and thorny issue to a book launch.

Tobago-based politician theorised that Gonsalves was influenced by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who attended the event.

The regional leader commented about the US $250 million 302-room Sandals facility that was recently launched in St. Vincent.

He quipped that the resort was originally intended for Tobago.

Indeed, Sandals had projected a 750-room resort for the sister isle.

Gonzales said: “That is far beyond what currently exists in St. Vincent.”

The Sandals owners had scuttled the Tobago venture in January 2019, in the midst of uproar over tax benefits and that locals would not be prioritised for jobs.

They were also complaints that the produce of farmers and fishermen would not be utilised, and that imports would instead be used.

Several Vincentians made similar objections to construction of the resort in Buccament Bay.

Taxi operators on the island also groused that a regional group Island Tours will provide transportation services.

In February, Gonsalves dismissed the criticisms as “mindless objections.”

He said that large hotels do not buy from a multiplicity of suppliers.

His comments at the book launch surprised some observers, who said the matter was not linked to Manning, the former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister.

In recent years, there have been objections to construction of Sandals resorts in Antigua-Barbuda and Grenada.

Regional leaders have been confronted by critics, who are upset about the lack of domestic commercial opportunities and tax giveaways.

The challenges in Antigua-Barbuda and Grenada were based on issues similar to those with respect to the Tobago and St. Vincent facilities.

Critics claimed that Sandals was given unfair customs concessions to attract the investments.

In Barbados, the resort group secured a 25-year holiday on taxes and duties for importation of capital and recurrent goods.

They include construction and outfitting material, food and beverages.

Rowley and leaders of the relevant other Caricom countries insisted that the resorts will bring in tourist dollars.

In cancelling the Tobago project, Sandals cited negative publicity.

It was later revealed that Sandals was not investing its capital in the resort but was gaining concessions similar to those who put out their own development funds.

The investors did not guarantee any number of local employees.

Critics generally claimed there were minimal benefits to the T&T economy.

Rowley had touted the facility as a step in diversifying the economy and groused about the cancellation of the project.

He said that “we chased away what would have been good for us.”

In light of his grievance, there is conjecture that he prompted Gonsalves to air the matter at the book event.