Tobago businessman and lecturer Dedan Daniel has signalled his intention to file an application under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act seeking information about Sandals Resort setting up a 750-room hotel at No Man’s Land in Tobago.
He said details about the five-star hotel were being suppressed by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and felt the public needed to know the truth.
The FOI Act is designed to support good governance, transparency, accountability, equality of access, empowerment and participation.
Offering to assist Daniels with the filing of the FOI is Rishi Maharaj, CEO of Disclosure Today, which is a non-profit organisation powered by lawyers committed to serve the public and to bring greater transparency and accountability in public procurement decision-making.
News of the application comes three days after founder and chairman of Sandals Resorts, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, admitted in a T&T Guardian article that he had his eyes on No Man’s Land to build his first Sandals brand in Tobago.
Sandals has opened its doors in Antigua, Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and Turks and Caicos and has 20 hotels in operation.
The hotel tycoon, however, stated talks between Sandals and the THA were still in the “infancy stages.”
No Man’s Land forms part of the Bon Accord Lagoon at Golden Grove, Buccoo, which is a mangrove wetlands and an important habitat for many species of birds.
Last Month, Daniel started an online petition condemning the use of No Man’s Land as the proposed site for the hotel.
Daniel also called on the THA to start public consultation and have full disclosure and accountability on the proposed development in Tobago.
The petition, which garnered 2,800 signatures, started days after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced the proposal.
THA Chief Secretary Orville London had said that the site would remain a public space.
Yesterday, Daniel said he knew all along that Stewart was eyeing the 600-acre site.
“I knew all along that No Man’s Land was the preferred choice by Sandals. You see Tobago is a small place. Nothing is kept a secret. Everyone knows that ‘Butch’ has been back and forth in Tobago since 2014, negotiating with the THA and Government.”
Daniel said he had no objection with Sandals coming to Tobago but not on No Man’s Land.
“These are protected lands and we should do everything to protect it. I am totally against No Man’s Land being used for a hotel.
“This is not Butch’s Land. If the Government tries to shove this down our throats without consultation, we are going to protest. This has to be a win-win for all and not for a selected few,” he added.
He said soon he would file the application under the FOI seeking answers.
Maharaj said Disclosure Today had been advising Daniel to utilise the FOI.
“The Government has no legal obligation to respond to a petition. If Daniel utilises the Freedom of Information Act he can request information from a ministry, public body or even the THA to respond to a query.
“If the Government fails to respond within a stipulated time, or gives you an unsatisfactory answer, you can now go to court and force the Government to give out the information.”
Maharaj said the public ought to know what pieces of land Stewart would use.
Several calls to THA’s Secretary of Tourism and Transportation Tracy Davidson-Celestine’s cellphone went unanswered yesterday.