by Linda Straker
- Government has accepted a proposal to lease Annandale waterfall site
- Tourism ministry and leasing entity expected to meet with community
Annandale waterfall, one of Grenada’s tourist sites which falls under the management of the Ministry of Tourism, is close to becoming commercialised, as government has accepted a proposal to lease the attraction.
Tourism Minister Clarice Modeste made the disclosure on Tuesday during the weekly post-cabinet briefing. “I say commercialisation and not privatization. It means that it will be leased to somebody or an entity that is going to run it, but it belongs to the nation,” she said.
Modeste explained that government on two separate occasions had issued calls for proposals to commercialise the site, and on each occasion, the same two entities submitted bids. “There were the same two; there were very good proposals and one has been selected,” she said without providing the name of the selected entity.
Providing a general update on tourist attraction sites as Grenada begins the start of the 2019/2020 cruise ship season, Minister Modeste said that much work has not been done to the Annandale waterfall site because of the pending lease.
“That is one that we don’t have much work done on, because we have a serious proposal that has been accepted,” she said, confirming that the bid was accepted after it went through all the processes for contract or commercialisation.
The ministry along with the entity leasing the waterfall land are expected to meet with the community as part of the transfer of administration. At present, the site is managed by the Ministry of Tourism.
The ministry is hoping to commercialise several other sites and services, among which is the lifeguard service on Grand Anse beach.
Modeste disclosed that a recent high-level tourism delegation from Jamaica who visited the island as part of a mission to upgrade and enhance tourism attraction sites, have among other things, recorded that Grenada has commercial attraction sites.
Some of the areas which have received upgrading for the new cruise ship season are Grand Etang Great House, Grand Etang hiking trails and Bathway.
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Commercializing an attraction spot isnt a bad idea to boost commerce, but it should Grenadians doing it, not some cryptic “entity”. Grenadians also should not have to potentially pay to visit these sites as well, as seems to be an underlying probability. These politicians remind me of those in Africa, eager to give away what precious resources we have to foreign/secret agencies. Usually nothing good comes with secrecy. It’s best that the waterfall dries up rather than “leasing” it. Remember who the disloyal Grenadians are that made this deal. Hold them accountable.
What is the deal? The government need to give a full account of itself by giving details of the lease agreement including how long it is for; how will it affect citizens as well as tourism and any tax incentive involved. We also need to know if it will help in providing local jobs – permanent/part-time; how many and will the operation provide tax benefits to the exchequer.
It is a shame that politicians who came from VERY humble beginnings in Grenada, seem to have no problem trading Grenadians and Grenada for self aggrandizement. Thank God that at the end of their lives they will be important enough to not die, but to walk out of this world alive. God be praised.
Although, I am fully against giving / selling foreigners our public lands and attractions, I must also say grenadians don’t put their monies together and invest in grenada. Annandale falls could have been enhanced and commercialized long time ago. the Sulpha springs can be commercialized, and no one in grenada sees the opportunity. I look at the golf course, the only one on the island, the golf house is the same I knew it over 60 years. the grenadian who plays golf there every day, have not upgrade that building. shame on them and the government and the business people who utilize it for years. I said all that to come back to the original topic. we are not sure what the deal is because the government is rogue on everything, so stay ingage, . invest in your country. put your monies where your mouth is. did. put your minds together and help build, one idea at a time
This is out of hand. The people of Grenada need to ban together and fight this!! This leaves an awful feeling in my stomach.
The raping of Grenada.Pretty soon locals will be squeezed out.Please let Grenada remain unspoiled.Don’t you see some of the problems we are having drug smuggling,raping of our children , and whst about sexually transmitted diseases.Please stop already and. encourage our youths to be more productive..Encourage our young grads to be entrepreneurs am sure there are brilliant creative minds.lHave competition island wide for school and let them come up with something them give them a business loan to start.
Yes, Clarice. You’re playing word games…privatization vs commercialization. Nothing can be straight in Grenada, always some word games, lies, and semantics. Plus, no shame in doing it in public. You should be hidden when mentioning this crap. I guess there are enough stupid people in Grenada to “drink” your nonsense. At least, I hope there are different rates for locals versus tourists. God, all you need people from Jamaica to consult on that!? Grenadians can’t do that? No wonder all you getting such poor recommendations. Yes, the country lacks revenue; but God, it has to end somewhere. What’s next? Let me know when you start selling people.
Why sellout every inch of Grenada?
Is there not anything on the land we can keep sacred and for the people?!
This is a bad idea!!!
Send the buyer back where he came from
This makes me so sad. This is wholly unnecessary.
Everything has to involve outsiders. Was it not possible to put an internal organization in place to do that?