TOURISM is really neo-slavery; “plantations by the sea.” Government and local residents have to be careful who they sell their land to. Cuius Est Solum Ejus Est Usque Ad Caelum: whose is the soil, his it is even to the skies and to the depths below.
It is no secret that I am opposed to the sale of land at Portalase for the building of a hotel on the beach. I am most appalled that there is such little resistance from the people of Saint Lucia, more so the residents of Choiseul, to the sale of such a priceless treasure. I think the only reason why former Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony would say in his final budget address that tourism would see no more development by the sea was because there were no more beaches to be sold. They were all already sold, or under negotiations for sale: Desert Star Holding, Sunset Bay Resort and Anse L’Ivrogne.
Anse L’Ivrogne is the beach they said we would be displaced since Sab Richard was taken over. Anse L’Ivrogne is that beach at the base of Gros Piton bordering with Choiseul. Well, the land there (part of which is part of the World Heritage Site) has been sold to some Canadian investor(s). As to what they want to do there, God only knows. I have heard “conflicting” proposed ideas. Well, they were here over the holiday season, camping. It’s their land and they can do what they want with it.
I was flabbergasted by what they left behind. I cannot tell you if they had a clean-up plan, but if they did, it was not executed. After all, have we not passed the age of picking up after foreigners? All the litter from their packages for all their new appliances, the camping equipment, all they wood used were left right on site?
But it’s their land. They can do whatever they want to do with it. Like build a pit toilet on the bank of the river and leave it there for weeks thereafter. It’s your land, so you can put up your “private” sign. Hire as many SSU officers and police as you want. Cut down as many tree as you want and disturb the serenity of Anse L’Ivrogne as much as you want. I heard that you all were environmentally-conscious. Well, the evidence does not speak to that. Anse L’Ivrogne is no more the serenity, the seclusion — the natural beauty is fast fading away. Paradise lost. Bye, bye, Saint Lucia.
By the way, the people of Choiseul want to know just what is the status of Fairmount Sunset Bay Resort. He who owns the land has the control. So sell as much land as you can to foreigners as you can, Saint Lucians, and sell yourselves right back into slavery. Cuius Est Solum Ejus Est Usque Ad Caelum: whose is the soil, his it is even to the skies and to the depths below.