Dear Editor,
Finance Minister Richard Gibson, Sr., at a town hall session held in University of St. Martin (USM) said, “We have struck the jackpot,” adding that the Chinese have promised to generate at least one million Chinese tourists annually to the country. A 326-room hotel with a showroom and 450 executive apartments will be constructed on the Belair beachfront by a Chinese public-private venture.
The Minister also stated that the plans for the “Pearl of China” project have already been approved by Government and the ground-breaking for the project is slated for September 17, and should take some two years to complete. A company reflecting 50 per cent share ownership of the Chinese Government and 50 per cent by the Chinese private sector companies has been established in St. Maarten.
To me this project seems to be very vague and leaves room for a lot of questions that I believe need to be answered.
1) Is our infrastructure capable of handling an addition of one million guests to the island annually as it pertains to traffic and power supply? Are we prepared?
2) What would be the impact on the environment from the additional waste that would be generated?
3) What would be the impact on the environment in the surrounding area? What will happen to the natural pond?
4) Who will be constructing this facility? Will our people be contracted?
5) Who will be operating this facility? Has it been ensured that our people will be employed throughout this organization from top management to the jobs on the lower end of the organizational structure?
6) Why does this project appear to have been done in secrecy and in a rush, seeing the huge impact it could have on the country?
7) Will our people still have access to the beach?
8) Other than looking for a new water source and plans to work with Government on cheaper electricity options, what other investments is this group going to make to social, educational and sporting aspects in this country?
9) Will this group be receiving a tax break?
These are all important questions that need to be answered because the people of St. Maarten need to know. I’m in no way trying to downplay this initiative, but I would like to see our people benefit from this project as this country tries to move forward in revitalizing its economy.
Jason Peterson
