The New Year greeted we the people with the news that Peter de Savary  had sold Port Louis Marina to world renowned Camper & Nicholson for US$24million.  Peter De Savary and his counterpart from Camper and Nicholson were on CC6’s first 2008 You Decide Programme , confirming this fact.  Campers and Nicholson confirmed that they had acquired the following from De Savary’ ‘s Port Louis Land Ltd. and Port Louis Trading Ltd.:

•    Approximately 100,000 sq metres of water area, held on a 99 year lease. – 40,000  sq.m. is lettable berth area providing over 300 yachts including 60 super yachts of between 30m and 100m in length.
•    The Creole village – a site of 1.25 acres
•     Land area immediately adjoining the Southern Lagoon marina comprising 1.1 acres of FREEHOLD land with RIGHTS TO RECLAIM an additional 2 acres of leasehold land (WATER).  Acquisition of this land enables CNMI to control a key area adjacent to the main marina.  It may provide an opportunity at a later date TO DEVELOP ADDITIONAL YACHT BERTHS OR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY for which PLANNED CONSENT HAS ALREADY BEEN GRANTED.

According to a plan (reference www.cmarinas.com) that area is from the former location of the old Ross Combined Workshop just past Glean’s jetty where a jetty (called fish dock) has been constructed.

From the plan, it also appears that the area now being dredged – that area of rocks where the Christ of the Deep was formerly sited – is earmarked to be a super yacht berth.

Some of we the people appeared to be surprised and shocked – De Saviour sell the marina already?!  Clearly some of we the people were not minding our business and confused CACA POULE with EGG WHITE!!

Peter De Savary has not made any secret of the fact that he is in town to BUY and SELL.  From as early as April last year - when Peter De Savary was holding press conferences and informing we the people of  the reclamation and building of cottages on the Lagoon Road – we would have noticed the Port Louis signs that went up along the Lagoon Road advising of the sale of lots and inviting persons to “Invest now!” .  His intentions are well set out in Savvy’s glossy Grenada Life magazine.  He has hosted a number of real estate journalists here as well with the intention of advertising the property abroad.  So WHAT IS SURPRISING ABOUT THIS SALE TO CAMPER & NICHOLSON?

A press release of December 7th, 2007 quotes of the Chairman of Marina management International Limited – the Manger of Campers & Nicholson’s - as commenting, “we are building real value for CNMI’s shareholders in a growth sector……”

As Grenada prepares to celebrate/commemorate its 34th anniversary of Independence, it is a good time to reflect on WHO/WHAT IS BUILDING REAL VALUE FOR WE THE PEOPLE, who SHOULD BE the most important shareholders/stakeholders of OUR country.  It would appear that neither our Ministers of Government nor the responsible bodies and authorities are seeking and protecting our interests.  While Peter De Savary and his new partner can smile all the way to the bank, some persons whose homes were destroyed in the Mt. Pandy location are still WITHOUT A ROOF over their heads.

Among the many burning issues are:

•    The 99 year lease of the lagoon which essentially means that during  our lifetime we the people are now DEPRIVED the use of OUR LAGOON.  We no longer own OUR LAGOON!!??    
•    Reclamation and building on the Lagoon Park area:  Peter De Savary and his new partner, with the blessings of the Government of Grenada, are intent on DEPRIVING we the people of our Lagoon Park.  Peter De Savary and his new partner have again announced their intent to reclaim land to develop additional yacht berths or residential property for which planned consent has already been granted.  

IF PLANNED CONSENT HAS BEEN GRANTED, then  we can only conclude that planned consent was granted by the Land Development and Control Authority, the body responsible for giving planned consent.  We are also aware that the CHAIRMAN of the Land Development Control Authority is an agent of De Savary.
•    Dredging is proceeding full speed in an area which local knowledge identifies as a breeding ground for many of our fish stock,  lambie and lobsters.   WHO HAS GIVEN PERMISSION to carry out dredging?  Has an Environmental Impact Assessment been carried out?  Who has reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment?  If the Environmental Assessment had not been completed, then why is dredging being carried out?
•    Is the Port Louis development complying  with required planning and environmental standards ?

We are also interested in the recent CNMI acquisition:
•    How much money has the TREASURY got from the recent transaction between Port Louis and Camper & Nicholson?
•    How much PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX and other property acquisition taxes has been paid?  (If paid, this really should come in handy for the Treasury to meet the wage increases and back pay that have just agreed to for public workers!)
•    According to George Kershaw, Chairman of CNMI, the Government of Grenada has been pro-active in establishing a yacht friendly legislative and fiscal climate.  What FISCAL INCENTIVE PACKAGE has been given to Campers & Nicholson?  Does the OBSCENE package given to Peter De Savary extend to CNMI?

(i)    Does CNMI get a tax exemption of 20 years from corporate tax?  
(ii)    Is it exempt from General Consumption Tax (without limitation and so as to give the widest possible interpretation thereto)?  
(iii)    What arrangements are there with respect to PROPERTY TAXES?  Is there a cap/limit  on property taxes for 25 years?  
(iv)    Is CNMI exempt from Customs Service Charge?  
(v)    Are there exemptions for vehicles?
(vi)    Are there exemptions from EXCHANGE CONTROLS as it relates to the repatriation of capital and profits?
(vii)    Are exemptions granted in respect of withholding tax, capital gains tax and investment tax?
(viii)    Is there exemption from Alien Landholding tax?
•     Is the marina a LAW unto itself?  What are the arrangements in respect of BORDER SECURITY?   

We the people do recognize the necessity of foreign investors in our economic development. However what we are dealing with in our 34th year of Independence is the wholesale GIVE AWAY of Grenada’s assets   without any regard to our small size and limited land area or any respect for the rights of our people.  Never mind the brand  -  Peter De Savary, Camper and Nicholson or whomever!!

I am UNAPOLOGETICALLY OPPOSED to the Port Louis development proposed by Peter De Savary.  It is ENVIRONMENTALLY INAPPROPRIATE. From the limited information about the SECRET agreements between De Savary and the Government of Grenada, it is also a RIP OFF of the Grenadian people.

Understanding that the old Islander property was going to become a GATED community, I made pilgrimage to Mt. Pandy beach and up to area where the old Islander was situated to have a last look before Mr. De Savary put up his gates.    What a view!! What breathtaking beauty!!   Along the beach area, the vegetation was lush.  Oh the majestic trees and beautiful flamboyants!!  Given the scenic beauty and the history associated with that area, it is my passionate view that entire area should be a NATIONAL PARK or a cultural centre.  At very least,it should remain the PROPERTY OF THE PEOPLE OF GRENADA and we should have ACCESS.

As we prepare to celebrate our 34th anniversary of Independence and reflect on “whence we came and whither we go”, we can only conclude that MASSA DAY COME BACK.  The question for we the people is  “ What are we going to do about it?”  Are we going to sit idly by while our rights and all that we hold dear are violated?  ARE WE GOING TO ALLOW RECLAMATION AND FILLING OF THE LAGOON TO BUILD BERTHS FOR SUPER YACHTS AND COTTAGES, ALL FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS?  Or are we going to stand up and defend this piece of rock that we call home?

GRENADA DESERVES BETTER!  WE MUST STAND UP FOR GRENADA!!