What will we sacrifice in the name of economic growth?

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ountry leadership seems a dangerous balancing act between conservation and economic growth. We love the land—us, the people—but they tell us it must go in order to make way for the foreign dollar because, ‘how else will we stay afloat in a world heading God knows where, pretty fast?’

When pronouncements were made about the development of a horseracing track in Vieux Fort, some Saint Lucians here, and abroad were incensed. Amidst protests, more and more details were revealed: Teo Ah Khing from Desert Star Holdings Ltd. (DSH) would be the developer, a causeway will be built between the Maria Islands and the mainland and, the project will be ostensibly named, The Pearl of The Caribbean. Public banter on the topic had ceased when other pressing matters surfaced, during which, unbeknownst to many, the project had gone on a hiatus. On January 30 however, Saint Lucia’s prime Minister, Hon. Allen Chastanet and DSH investor, Ah Khing, armed with completed designs of the expected transformation of some 700 acres of land,  declared the project’s recommencement.

Prominent on displayed designs were high rise hotels, the cruise ship terminal—which Ah Khing boasted will be the “world’s largest cruiser terminal”—and the horse racing track. The designs, featuring both night and day versions of the completed project, looked quite impressive. But, as it is in the world of trade and economic growth, something has to give to bring it all to fruition. So what will give now?

The Taiwanese funded abattoir in Vieux Fort, stated on January 30 as costing $14M will be relocated perhaps into smaller units in various locations, although confirmation could not be provided. The Prime minister explained, “. . . we are just waiting on the ministry of agriculture to determine a location or locations, meaning it may be more than one abattoir but smaller than what it is.” He later explained, “  from an equine and a quarantine perspective you cannot have a slaughter house next to the area. . .” a statement which was later chastized by opposition leader Phillip J Pierre during a press briefing as he felt the term “slaughter house” diminished the value of the establishment.

The Beausejour, Vieux Fort farm will also be relocated according to Chastanet who said he had not lobbied for its unconfirmed, proposed location; his Micoud South constituency.

Amongst matters to have caused initial upheaval was the inclusion of the Maria Islands into the Pearl of the Caribbean development plans. When news broke that a causeway would connect the islets to the mainland, conservationists warned that this could not only result in devastating harm to the shoreline but also put the whiptail lizard and worm snake, which are endemic rare species, in danger. On Tuesday however, the prime minister did confirm that Maria Islands would still be part of the project but will come into play later on. He said, “We’ve been in discussions with several entities because they’re trying to sell each of the individual islands. That project will be the last phase of the development, but right now, the focus is getting the horse racing track up and running.”

With climate change taking center stage in the past few years, particularly for the Caribbean where its effects were felt during monster storms Irma and Maria, experts and authorities continually suggest the consideration of the warming planet in all construction plans moving forward. No statements were made regarding smart building and natural disaster preparedness during Tuesday’s presentation however, it was highlighted that an Australian company will be conducting water flow analyses regarding the flushing of rain waters from mountains near the airport and the avoidance of clogging.

The DSH project remains highly controversial with some Saint Lucians raising their voices in a cry against what they feel is an unfair deal tipped in the favor of developer Ah Khing ,whose investment into the horse track will be paid back with funds from CIP. Ah Khing at Tuesday’s briefing mentioned that he has currently committed US$10m for phase one of the project, although,  “[he] thinks it will continually increase as [they] build more facilities in and surrounding the area.” The developer added, “As the horse population increases, you need to build more facilities, barns and employ a lot more people. ” His latter point echoing the prime minister when he proclaimed his anticipation of large scale migration. “We are going to expect to see a migration of people hopefully from up north, coming back into the south to be able to get and occupy the thousands of jobs that we’re talking about that this project is going to be able to create,” he professed, shortly after affirmations of the new port bringing in more tourism activity to communities in the south of the island.

While doubts loom islandwide regarding the practicality and success of the DSH project, it was projected that by October this year the horseracing track should be capable of hosting its first trial race.