Sandals Tobago project moves ahead

Young, speaking at yesterday’s post Cabinet meeting at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort in Lowlands, Tobago, said a company set up to deal with the project, the Golden Grove Buccoo Company Limited, met a month ago and that another meeting was scheduled for today.

“We intend to begin the negotiations process with the Sandals international team, it is moving along and we want to get it done as swiftly as possible,” he said.

Young, who was expanding on a response given by Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles as to the status of the project, was careful to point out that it was in the negotiation stage.

“Understand this is a negotiation process and we will also be engaging in the necessary application for the relevant statutory approval. In that process, and in addition to that process we will, in the appropriate time, engage in consultation. Until we have something signed off on, we will keep the public of Tobago in particular, and Trinidad abreast as we move forward on the project,” he said.

Charles said the meeting today will involve key stakeholders, to further discussion and move the process forward.

“A company has been established, so we will flesh out the detail of the process to be used going forward. The project is on its way,” he said.

Charles also reported that Cabinet has agreed to the acquisition of a cargo ferry and to consider a custom built new fast ferry.

“I’m sure tenders are about to go out on the acquisition of the cargo ferry to replace the Galicia, and more than that Cabinet agreed to pursue the acquisition of the new fast ferry.

“As you are aware, the current ferries are pretty aged, therefore we have to move in a timely manner to ensure their replacement.

This one will be a custom built fast ferry, therefore it requires a certain amount of lay time to allow for its manufacture,” he said.

“It is a priority issue for the new board (of the Port Authority) and that is why we are taking the position that we are going to try and procure one as quickly as possible that is already out there that we can source. At the same time, we will put in our order to have one that is custom built,” he added.

Stuart clarified that “Cabinet did agreed two week ago that in addition to going out to tender for a cargo vessel between Trinidad and Tobago, we are going to procure the purchase of a cargo and fast ferry vessels. It is already in progress and very soon you will see, it will be for the international procurement of these vessels,” he said.

Asked whether crime in Tobago was discussed at the Cabinet meeting, Charles said it was not, nor were plans for a desalination plant in southwest Tobago as announced by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley following a Cabinet meeting at the same Magdalena venue in March last year.