Racism flares over Turks and Caicos development
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| Published on Friday, July 18, 2008 |
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By Tricia N. Henry
Caribbean Net News Staff Reporter
Email: tricia@caribbeannetnews.com
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: As plans continue for the development of Salt Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), unconfirmed local reports are that racial divisions among residents on the tiny island are coming to the fore and, according to one source who requested anonymity, the tensions were brought into the open when representatives of the development company DEVCO met with the local expatriate community on Tuesday to address their concerns about the project.
The source, who was in attendance at the meeting, claimed that the event was conducted in “a very hostile and racist environment”, as the developers, Stefan Kral and Mario Hoffman came to the meeting with what was termed “a group of their supporters in tow, a few of those being belongers and obviously recent converts”.
According to reports, while the so-called DEVCO backers supported the developers’ point of view, they jeered, booed and hissed at the contributions made by the local expat community.
The source reported surprise at the behaviour of the non-expat group, since the attendees at the meeting were not opposing the development, but rather were attempting to express their concerns over the possible negative impact the project would have on the island.
“Those at the meeting attempted to make it very clear (even over the constant barrage from the small group of Devco supporters) that they are in favor of development for Salt Cay,” the source said. “They just disagree with the massive scale of this so called low density, eco-friendly development that takes up to 80 percent of this tiny island, and are concerned about the marina access and its impact on the surrounding reefs, the annual migration of the humpback whales, and the integrity of the island.... And if DEVCO take up 80 percent of Salt Cay, what exactly does that leave for the belongers and their heirs?”
It was also reported that tempers flared at the meeting, as the group of locals allegedly made comments to the expat residents, including “go home”; “you whites don’t belong here” and “this is our island”.
However, the source said that these comments were unwarranted and questioned whether the group had “failed to notice that both Stefan [Kral] and Mario [Hoffman] are white”.
“So do they belong here, but no other white people, even those that have been here for years now?” the source questioned.
“Expats, like everyone else, pay duties & contribute to the community, both with volunteer labour and monetarily, i.e. local churches, school fundraisers, etc. They also provide employment opportunities for the local population when they build homes, does this not contribute to the local economy?” the source said, adding that they were “shocked at the blatant racism and obvious hatred of good people who have contributed significantly to Salt Cay”.
The Salt Cay project, which includes the construction of a five star hotel with a golf course and several other amenities, has been one of the TCI government’s more controversial development schemes and has been met with apprehension by residents from its inception, as early reports circulated that persons would have to be relocated to accommodate the venture.
The Islands’ Premier, Michael Misick denied these reports earlier this year.
Residents were also fearful that the development would destroy the historical and ecological integrity of the world’s first green island.
However, Misick has guaranteed that consultations would be held with residents before any final decision was made. He, along with the developers, has met with the island’s residents on previous occasions to discuss their concerns. | | | | Reads : 178 |
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