by Linda Straker
- State entered into a 25-year lease agreement for development of Annandale waterfall
- Lease to be reviewed every 3 years to ensure developer compliance
- Under new arrangement, small admittance fee will be charged
9 months after announcing that Government will be commercialising one of Grenada’s main tourist attractions managed by the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Minister, Clarice Modeste has confirmed that the state has entered into a 25-year lease agreement for the development of Annandale Waterfall.
“What we do have is an agreement for a lease of the facilities. There are 2 young Grenadians who have come up with a proposal to enhance what is going on at Annandale and to change it, in keeping with environmental guidelines. So that there will be moderate changes but it is still environmentally friendly,” Modeste said while confirming that the attraction was not sold to any private entity.
In October 2019, Modeste announced during one of the weekly post-cabinet briefings said that government was in the process of finalising a lease agreement that will see the waterfall in Annandale becoming a commercialised entity. Withholding the names of the company, Modeste on Wednesday said that the announcement of the names will be done in a formal forum. She disclosed that the company was selected by a committee that comprised persons attached to the Department of Forestry and other relevant stakeholders.
In the 2019 news conference, Modeste explained that government on 2 separate occasions had issued calls for proposal to commercialise the site, and on each occasion, the same 2 entities submitted bids.
Sharing limited information about the lease, Modeste said that it mandates that the lease be reviewed every 3 years to ensure that the developers are complying with the terms of reference, and any work such as planting or cutting down of trees must first be approved by the Department of Forestry.
At present, there is no admittance fee to use the facility for locals but under the new arrangement, Modeste said this will change and a small fee will be charged. “There might be some small sacrifice that one will have to make.” She referred to Annandale Waterfall as a national asset that must be enjoyed by both locals and visitors.
“Any asset we have must be shared between locals and visitors,” she said, pointing out that if locals are stopped from utilising such a national asset this can impact visitors, because visitors normally enjoy mixing and mingling with locals.
Foreigners have to pay to visit the hot springs in St.Lucia……..for locals …..its free….and its run by the state
Sounds like a good idea. I hope there’s as much transparency as possible and that it will be managed and run competently.
So far I see no reason for the negative feedback. Based I what I’ve read, the property will be leased to 2 local young Grenadian’s and the Government will review the lease every 3 years to ensure they abide by the rules. There are no mention of foreigners. I think it’s a great idea and an opportunity for our young people and we should applaud them. Has anyone ever visit the Dunes River Falls in Jamaica? It’s amazing and I guarantee you that it isn’t owned or leased by a Jamaican. Again, I applaud them for investing in our own.
Grenada has to capitalize on all its assets. That’s definitely a goal. It gives the country the diversity in income that it will need going forwards. Income which the Grenadians as a whole hope’s to benefit from. If the Government is flush with funds then we hope that the Grenadians may have less of a tax burden. Taxes needed to provide things and services for the public good can be less. It would be nice if someone can post the Contract for public consumption. We definitely don’t want a local company posing as a front to a foreign country. When it comes to water resources every Country around the world should be Vigilant. The larger nations around the world are seeking to control all drinking water. They will find a way to do it. They are willing to control a little at a time with contracts. But, within these contracts there are clauses which allow them to sue the Host Country in certain situations. I like the 3 year review Clause. I would like a Clause that nullifies the contract if a foreign country becomes any part of this deal both now and in the future. Larger nations like China are known to buy these small local companies to gain influence. Offering them larger than normal value to get a foot in. Not only that the contracts are usually written without taking into consideration many things leaving loopholes for many other activities like panning or mining for gold, just to name one. Water is definitely not a Resource any nation should contract out lightly. Does the Contract addresses the collection and sale or no collection of this water. Just think of it this way. If a no collection clause is not spelled out in this contract. This local company can capitalize on millions of gallons of water at a price of $1 for every 64fl oz. I’m just saying it’s something that came to my mind. CAN YOU IMAGINE RENTING OUT SOMETHONG FOR $100 PER MONTH THAT HAS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SITTING THERE TO BE TAKEN AWAY. This could be troubling. IT is said that the comming wars will be water related. Weather it be sea water territory or drinking water. You dont want someone charging you more than you can pay for clean drinking water. Leave my air and water alone :).
I am happy it is to Grenadians. I hope they do a great job!
Grenada is far too small for any government to be considering leasing any of their public areas.
The government should be looking at ways to improve those sites with the assistance of all the unemployed young people we have at present.
Use these folks to improve the beautiful sites we currently have around our island,use sponsorship to bring in cash where possible and make use of the large unemployed we have sitting by the road wasting time.
Hog Island, Port Louis, and others not being owned by the people of Grenada? Just now the next generation of grenadians will be homeless persons? At this rate this is not good.
Very soon, born Grenadians will have to acquire a license to walk the street.
The next things to be privatized will be Grand Anse beach and Grand Etang lake. What is the government getting in return, and what will be the “nominal fee” to visit the falls?
Love this!!!
You guys sold lassagess to foreigners cut down all the mangroves you guys could of done the same thing leases it so unfair