Stephon Nicholas
Tobago Correspondent
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says the construction of a 200-room hotel and resort at Rocky Point, Tobago, will help improve the quality of rooms on the island.
Augustine made the comment at a post-Executive Council media briefing in Scarborough yesterday, but added that developers Superior Hotels Limited will only have his support once four conditions have been met.
The $500 million project has received some pushback from environmentalists, who argue the scale of the project is detrimental to the fragile reef, its ecosystem and the green space.
However, Augustine yesterday said he believes the project can boost Tobago’s tourism sector and attract major airlines to the island. He noted that the island’s image has received a hit recently with British Airways refusing to promote two of its hotels owing to complaints recently.
“We need four-and five-star rooms,” Augustine said.
The Marriott-branded project is a 3.5-star development.
Augustine said his administration has been in discussions with the developer to ensure Tobago’s interest comes first.
The first pillar required for his support, he said, is that the THA must be actively involved in the development to ensure the socio-cultural and environmental landscape is not destroyed. Augustine said a meeting with the developers was held on March 19, 2022, and a site visit was done on April 21, 2022. During the site visit, he said the developers assured him they would confine construction to the plateau overlooking the beach.
He said the environmental concerns must be met, but noted this is the role of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). On May 1, the EMA granted Superior Hotels a Certificate of Environmental Clearance for the project.
“The THA does not run the EMA. The THA does not instruct the EMA what to do,” Augustine said.
“EMA primarily would look at what’s the impact on the environment and whether the developer is building in a way to minimise the impact on the environment.”
Augustine said the historical elements of the area must be preserved, especially the remnants of a fort there.
He said these historical aspects could be an attraction to patrons of the resort.
He said the final condition is that the beach must remain accessible to the public.
“The hotel developers have said time and time again that in their plan, there will be a separate and dedicated public entrance to the beach. You would continue to have access to the beach.”
He added, “Once these are met then the hotel should be built.”
Augustine said some of his environmentalist friends would be upset with him for his stance.
“They believe that under no circumstances the hotel should be built.”
However, he argued that there are methods to mitigate environmental impact.
He urged anyone with information that the developers are contravening these steps to contact his office as soon as possible.
THA wants $60m to start Scarborough Sec
Meanwhile, Augustine said the Mid-Year Review will take place today following discussions with Finance Secretary Petal-Ann Roberts and Minister of Finance Davendranath Tancoo.
Augustine said the THA is requesting $60 million to begin construction of the long-awaited new Scarborough Secondary School. He said the THA intends to put some of its own funds towards the start of the project.
Coastal erosion has undermined the school for several years, with the construction of a new school on the agenda of previous administrations.
Augustine said the original tender went out February 7, 2024, but the designs were deemed “woefully inadequate.”
He said final consultations will take place in June and a tender will go out with an approved design.
He said the aim is to get approximately 30 per cent of the project completed with payment to the contractor based on completion of phases.
