STATEMENT FROM
CITIZENS IN DEFENCE OF GRENADA’S LANDS AND HERITAGE
MAY DAY RALLY 2008

Citizens for the Defence of Grenada’s Lands and Heritage salute the workers of Grenada on the occasion of International Workers Day!  We also congratulate TAWU on the achievement of its 50th anniversary.

We pay tribute to the founding fathers of the trade union movement in Grenada for their VISION, COURAGE AND SACRIFICE for a better Grenada for all.  The benefits and gains that have been achieved must not be taken lightly and must be vigorously defended.

Long live the spirit of the founding fathers – those who have gone to the great beyond and those still with us!!

1.    The Lagoon Park:
Our group is pleased that the GTUC has embraced the cause of NO COTTAGES ON THE LAGOON as part of May Day 2008.  We also thank all those who are not part of any union but, as concerned and patriotic citizens, found it necessary to be there on May Day to support this cause.

The Lagoon Park is the fruit of the labour of love of one, Ms. Betty Frisbee and her associates.  Ms. Frisbee came to live among us and liked us and our country for who we were – uniquely Grenada and Grenadian.  In her appreciation, she gave something back and left us this legacy -- the Lagoon Park, a public green space for the enjoyment of all, visitors and Grenadians, from where we can also enjoy the beauty of the Lagoon and the Carenage – described as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world.  The Lagoon Park is not just for those who have money.

Ms. Frisbee’s work was continued by the business community of the Lagoon Road who, through a committee, oversaw the maintenance of the park and its rehabilitation after Hurricane Ivan.  These corporate citizens employ Grenadians who are unionized.  They pay their taxes and they contribute to social causes.  They have followed the building guidelines and regulations of the country.  They too are Grenadians.  They have genuinely invested in Grenada.

2.    Port Louis
Consider what we are now confronted with – a real estate speculator who has been handed Grenada’s prized assets for EC$1 as far as we the people can determine from the available records – the Islander/Butler House property, Ballast Ground and the Lagoon water - one of the most beautiful spots in our country of immense historical significance to us – for the development of a gated community and marina for the super rich.

While we the people have to dig deeper and deeper to pay our way, Port Louis has 25 years tax concessions – property transfer tax, general consumption tax and customs service charge( which we have to pay on the little barrels some of us get from abroad).

In January we understood that the Port Louis marina was sold for US$24 million - that is US$6.24 million of revenue foregone by the Treasury.  Even if it was treated as a local transaction, revenue foregone is US$1.44 million.

Land prices are being driven up to astronomical prices beyond the reach of Grenadians while Port Louis proudly announces the sale of one bedroom villas starting at £250,000 and land prices going up by another £100 pounds in a month.  And Port Louis will continue to enjoy tax concessions on all of these transactions.

We witness the dredging and reclamation in the Ballast Ground area – the destruction of the reef and breeding grounds of some of our fish species.  All of this will have negative impact on the fishing livelihoods and food security of our country while increasing the risk of the Carenage and Lagoon area to storm surges and high waves.  

Is the integrity of our St. George’s port being compromised?  Where are our regulators and those in charge of protecting our interests?    

3.    The Squatters
Consider the plight of the relocated families from the Mt. Pandy and Islander area – relocated into squalid conditions in Beausejour, La Sagesse and Morne Delice – the cheapest of plywood houses , unfinished; lack of proper access roads and , in some cases no water or electricity, all of which they enjoyed in their previous locations.

Brothers and sisters, we also need to ensure that Mt. Pandy beach does not become a private and exclusive beach of the Port Louis development.

Port Louis is just one the many of these SPECULATIVE ventures taking place all over our beautiful island – destroying our natural environment and marginalizing the Grenadian people.

THAT IS WHY WE TAKEN A STAND TODAY.  We are sending a clear message to all – the government, the developers, our regulators, our elected officials, those in office and those who will offer themselves for office - no cottages on the Lagoon!   We will not stand idly by and permit  ourselves to become second class citizens in our island while we witness the new breed of pirates and buccaneers wax fat with the full support of our government.

That is why, brothers and sisters in the trade unions, you must stand firm in your demand for wages and benefits for your workers.  By all of those tax concessions, WE ARE SUBSIDIZING FAT CATS.

This is an issue for each and every Grenadian.  It is not only about the Lagoon Park.  It is also about The Residence proposed for Grand Anse beach, about Mt. Harman, Levera,  Hog Island, Calivigny Island and all of those areas, considered our heritage -  areas to which  we are now denied access by so called foreign millionaires.

Port Louis already has the land with fantastic views, the Lagoon for 99 years and all manner of tax concessions for 25 years.  The Lagoon Park is ours.  No government and no speculator is going to deprive us of our Lagoon Park and its view!  THIS LAND IS OURS!!

NO TO ANY COTTAGES AND BUILDING ON THE LAGOON PARK!

Thank you all for your support and continue to reflect on the meaning and importance of May Day!!