by Linda Straker
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs received request to install radar equipment at MBIA
- Government carefully assessing and reviewing request in technical consultations
- Humphrey not in favour of government granting permission
Chester Humphrey, former President of the Upper House of Parliament, believes that the Government of Grenada should have a sitting of the Houses of Parliament as part of the process to decide whether or not Grenada should give permission to the US Government to temporarily install radar at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA).
Last week, the government, through a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed it had received a request from the Donald Trump administration to install radar equipment and associated technical personnel at the airport.
The release said the relevant ministries of government are carefully assessing and reviewing the request in technical consultations, in coordination with the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) and other relevant agencies. “At this stage, the Government of Grenada is carefully reviewing the request in accordance with established national procedures. Any decisions will be made only after all technical and legal assessments are completed.” The release assured citizens that any decision taken will be guided by, among other things, public safety and protection of the tourism industry.
Humphrey, who is not in favour of the government granting permission, believes that legislators should play a role in the decision-making process of the government. “I think it’s important to convene a sitting of parliament on this before the government makes any commitment to the Americans one way or the next. Parliament needs to meet on this matter.”
He further warned that this matter should not be used to score political points. “Secondly, I don’t think this is an opportunity for scoring political points; I think we have to support the government.” Humphrey served as the Labour Movement representative in the Upper House for more than 2 decades. He served as the President General of the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union (GTAWU) for 26 years.
If all the US wants is a radar set up for drug trafficking, why they not using one of their ships or setting up a platform like oil rigs in neutral waters of ocean to put it on rather than putting Grenada in middle.