Turks and Caicos opposition leader addresses media allegations
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| Published on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 |
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By Tess Hennigan
Caribbean Net News Staff Reporter
Email: tess@caribbeannetnews.com
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands: Floyd Seymour, leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) opposition party in the Turks and Caicos Islands, has taken issue with what he describes as unsupported claims and accusations leveled by online media, and where the party stands on a number of topics.
In an exclusive interview with Caribbean Net News, Seymour spoke out about the recent statements and claims made by the TCI Journal, among other things, connecting him and/or his party to Mario Hoffman and the Salt Cay Development project.
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| Floyd Seymour, Leader of the Opposition People's Democratic Movement |
Seymour said, “While it is never our intention to get into back and forth with the media, or to engage in fights with ‘unnamed’ sources, we find it necessary to address the issues raised, and hope to bring about some clarity for the reading public.”
He stated, “We have no association or partnership of any kind with Mario Hoffman or the Salt Cay Development project.”
“We have asked the TCI Journal for copies of any documentation they have to support their accusations, but to date, no documentation has been provided to us,” said the PDM leader, claiming that this further supports the notion that these accusations against him are nothing more than gossip, noting that before the PDM would take on any issue, they would have substantiated facts to support their fight, not just rumours published by irresponsible media.
Seymour said the PDM has met with representatives from the Salt Cay Development project to convey the concerns of Salt Cay residents, and to try to find alternatives that would meet the developer’s desires and stay in line with the desires of those who call the island home.
According the Seymour, the PDM has urged the people of Salt Cay to speak up about their concerns, and not allow anyone to gain a sense of entitlement to their land just because they have helped with the recovery efforts.
“We are concerned that 400 years of history could be wiped out, and that the reefs will be damaged to put in the marina,” said Seymour, stating that they take each issue as it is presented, and work towards resolving them.
When asked about the casino on Providenciales, with which Hoffman reportedly has some association, Seymour said, “One of the most popular forms of money laundering is casinos,” noting that he has spoken extensively on the need for more stringent licensing guidelines and more in-depth background checks on any individual or entity requesting such licence.
“When a resident of the TCI loses their paycheck in a casino, their family goes without, and if a local person becomes addicted to gambling, their family goes without for a prolonged period,” said Seymour.
“Casino style gambling has a negative effect on the community,” said the PDM leader, relating it to Nevada, which has the highest rate of bankruptcy in the US, adding, “There are more gambling addicts than drug addicts or alcoholics, and it’s an invisible addiction with far-reaching implications.”
In his interview with Caribbean Net News, Seymour addressed the issue of the government failing to declare Salt Cay a disaster area, even though it suffered the same level of devastation as its sister island, Grand Turk.
“Just days after the hurricane, I visited Salt Cay, witnessing the destruction first hand, and I went to the governor and insisted he declare the island a disaster, but the governor did not,” stated Seymour, noting that he has publicly criticised the government for failing to issue that declaration.
With the current situation surrounding the Commission of Inquiry, and the speculation as to the possible results of its likely findings, Caribbean Net News asked Seymour where he stood on the option of an interim administration, and whether there was any division amongst PDM members on the issue.
“In any organisation you are going to have differing viewpoints and, as the leader of the party, it is my responsibility to consider all of those viewpoints,” said the Opposition Leader, “but the best interest of the people of the TCI is what is first and foremost.”
Seymour pointed out that, when individuals make comments, it does not change the direction of the party as a whole, and he noted, “Collectively we must come to a common decision,” concluding that there is no significant disunity within his party.
“There are those that are of the opinion that we should be under British rule for two to three years, and I cannot agree with that,” said Seymour.
“If a temporary administration needs to be assigned, their main objective should be to oversee the new elections, and ensure candidates are not using any illegal tactics, or strong-arm policies, to ensure votes,” declared Seymour, concluding, “It is arrogant for the Journal to think they are better equipped than we are to comment on what is best for our people.”
Furthermore, the leader of the PDM voiced his concern over the perception that a country with no local government leadership would give to prospective international investors.
In response to reports that a power-sharing agreement had been discussed between the PDM and the Progressive National Party (PNP) at the PDM’s National Governing Council, Seymour said that, as a party, it is important to consider all scenarios and what the party’s position would be on those scenarios, but he affirmed, “No, we have not discussed it with anyone in the PNP, and we would not agree to power-sharing.”
Caribbean Net News questioned the PDM leader on the topic of importing cheap foreign labour, which was recently highlighted by the West Caicos hostage situation, and his defence of Arthur Robinson, a PDM member, who recently employed Chinese workers on his West Caicos project.
“Arthur Robinson didn’t hire anyone, people just seem to be content on going after him,” said Seymour, explaining that a couple of years ago Robinson bought a minority interest in a construction company owned by Ashtrom, which is the main contractor on West Caicos, and that Robinson has no direct control over management decisions.
The PDM leader reported, “Last year, when the unrest broke out in West Caicos, Robinson got in touch with Ashtrom, telling them they needed to sit down with the workers and find some sort of a compromise with the TCI people,” assuring that subcontractors brought in the Chinese labourers, not Ashtrom.
“Local contractors should always be given the first opportunity to work on development projects,” said Seymour, and he noted that the PDM has spoken on this issue every month, with the exception of September, due to Hurricane Ike, encouraging the government to stop giving work permits to outsiders without giving consideration to local contractors.
On the subject of Lord Ashcroft’s significant and controversial role in Belize politics, TCI Net News asked Seymour if he thought Ashcroft’s presence in the TCI was equally controversial, to which he replied, “Most of his issues have been in relation to Belize, and it would be premature to speak on any individual’s specific issues to the TCI.”
When asked of his relationship with Ashcroft and his son, Andrew, and if they were contributors to the PDM party, the opposition leader stated that he had only met Ashcroft once and had only engaged in one brief conversation with him, and due to the behaviour of the current government prior to the last election, the PDM assures all contributors, from the smallest to the largest, of complete anonymity.
In relation to the reported grant by the PNP government to Bishop Colleta Williams of permission to develop the Frenchman's Creek reserve, Seymour said that, while the PDM supports any TC Islander being involved in development, “there are certain areas of our country that are fragile and in reserves for protection.”
“We must be responsible with the wildlife and preserve our reserves for posterity for future generations of TC Islanders and visitors alike, and the natural pristine nature of the God-given land as Beautiful by Nature,” said Seymour, going on to say that the PDM does not support the destruction of the reefs, parks, or reserve areas, and they would prefer that the development be done in a different areas.
The PDM leader expressed his concern over media that fail to confirm or verify facts before going to print, and declared that his party has never denied any media an interview, saying that anyone who wants to truly know the views of his party should contact them directly.
Seymour concluded with this message, “We cannot change the past, but the future is before us, and we should approach it with responsibility.” | | | | Reads : 2181 | | | |
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