Gail Alexander
He said he'd picked up the wrong papers, so Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s replies to Opposition questions at yesterday’s Parliament sitting were delayed briefly.
When he got going, PM’s answers were cool in tone, even on the lost Sandals opportunity—but clearly cautious about being misinterpreted.
"I don’t want to be misunderstood as I know what the headlines are going to be—that I’m asking doctors to 'work for free'. I'm not saying that" Rowley added after suggesting doctors seeking public sector work, enter other areas including volunteering.
His Opposition opponents weren't unusually rough either. Not even when he mixed up Venezuela with Guyana in one reply. But the Opposition has reason to feel slightly more relaxed following Tuesday’s demise of the PM's pet project. (Indeed Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar's scarlet jacket was the one bright spot of colour in Parliament yesterday.)
Rowley easily handled Opposition queries on Sandals yesterday since he broke the back of the matter on Thursday.
That day's post-Cabinet media briefing was given softer "Conversation" billing—a two-hour monologue and an hour-plus for queries obviously geared towards damage control on the Sandals pullout. It denoted a PM with a problem seeking an audience—confirming the effect of Sandals' withdrawal on Government.
Before his wide-ranging ramble, Rowley in a subdued tone, was immediate as upfront on his disappointment about the withdrawal as on admitting it's provided "interesting, exciting times" for rivals. His counter-moves used the opportunity presented by Persad-Bissessar's reaction for deflection and defence, with more aggressive push there than his remarks on reasons and recouping.
He'd confirmed a whiff of ill portent. But neither the Stuart Young team—including Petrotrin jefe Wilfred Espinet —mandated for negotiations nor Buccoo Golden Grove Company handling environmental clearance appeared to know the plan was dying. Sources indicated they only gleaned that late last month. No Greg Norman championship golf course for Tobago again.
The "negative publicity" cited—which in itself indicated faulty government messaging/publicity on the matter—was likely only part of deal breakers.
Government sources acknowledged the project would have occurred during elections making Sandals a hot button subject in a rough campaign where T&T’s economy would already be an issue and negative Opposition stance on the plan prevailed among active environmental lobbies.
Absent supporting elements also made the project a hard sell. Airport expansion hasn’t started. Air/sea bridges inadequate.
Messaging which fuelled suspicions in an oil economy-empowered culture, untraditionally given to service, more so to questioning. Plus: the Marine Preservation Act protecting Buccoo/Bon Accord lagoon as restricted areas.
"China’s aluminium smelter suffered when Government changed in 2010. Nobody wants all these risks," they concluded.
The Government may hope Tuesday's announcement occurred early enough—amid Carnival—for the loss to fade and win alternative investment before elections.
How investors respond to the withdrawal though, might be easily guessed considering Sandals holds a 22-year title for the World's Best All-Inclusive Resorts.
T&T’s investment profile is already burdened by crime, uneasy labour climate, and economic downturn effects.
Sandals' slipping away, therefore, stands as the largest investment setback for Government apart from ArcelorMittal's closure. (The jury’s out on Petrotrin restructuring.)
More eyes will now be on Government's plans with foreign partners: Australian vessel procurement, Venezuelan gas project, Chinese investment (especially following China's manufacturing slump.)
The failure represents a significant wake-up call for Government's position politically, economically and concerning Tobago particularly.
As Rowley's signature legacy project on his home turf—with negotiations done at the highest levels—the Sandals slip-up is a direct hit on his leadership stocks and the Government's management image.
Whether a fatal blow regarding upcoming political races—expected to have rivaled even for the UNC—remains ahead.
Currently, the Opposition has the political vehicle of victory from Sandals' departure and next Friday’s Parliament debate on Rowley's national presentations to ride towards next weekend's UNC Assembly, launching election plans.
For PNM, lessons are noted, Rowley's statements convey.
"We do have some interesting days ahead," he said Thursday.
While a day is a long time in politics, perhaps next week's marijuana decriminalisation symposium may preview easier investment possibilities, for oil and "grass" economy, rather than tourism.