Chairman of the Safari Eco Park in Chaguaramas, Raymond Habib, yesterday insisted he was “not going to give up one square inch of the land” which has been leased to him by the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA).
The park sits on an acreage of land on the northwestern peninsula and one of 22 leases which the CDA and Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis have deemed illegal.
Habib said he believed in the project which would be the first eco-friendly safari park in the Caribbean.
“I think if the Government does not want it (park) in Chaguaramas but wants it somewhere else and they are willing to foot the bill to move it, then so long as the project continues, maybe we can talk,” Habib said in a telephone interview.
When he was handed the 30-year lease in April 2015, he said, the area was overgrown with grass. He said it was now developed and he planted over 100 fruits trees.
The land was previously occupied by Cubans in the 1960s.
“We know our lease is 100 per cent legal. Anybody who reads the (CDA’s 1974) Act can see that,” he added.
Habib has so far injected TT$7 million in infrastructural development with another TT$4 million on the purchase of variety of animals from Siberia, USA and Canada.
The overall cost of the project is US$20 million which will be funded by local investors, Habib said.
In July, Robinson-Regis, under whose purview CDA falls, revealed that Government was reviewing between 21 or 22 land leases which were given out by the previous CDA board in the days leading up to the 2015 general election.
She made the disclosure after touring several areas in Chaguaramas, two of which were the Five Islands Water and Fun Park and the safari with then CDA chairman Anthony Pierre.
Pierre resigned last month after two letters of comfort he had given to tenants were rescinded by the CDA board.
Robinson-Regis also said the safari did not acquire planning permission and attempts were now being made to get authorisation through her ministry, while Pierre said the safari’s petting zoo, occupied four acres of agricultural land but they awarded a lease for 40 acres.
Habib in response to not acquiring permission said CDA had been withholding documents from them which had been stalling their project.
“We wrote to them. All that we need from Town and Country Planning Division is one document from CDA... and CDA has not given it to us over a year now.
“Town and Country told us in writing that they would give us favourable consideration if we give them this document. We wrote to CDA and asked for the document which we are yet to receive. That is why we cannot go ahead with this project. We have big plans for a Jurassic-type park of entry with 35-foot doors.”
It costs Habib $90,000 monthly to import feed, as well as pay staff, zookeepers and vets to look after the animals.
The businessman stated that there was a breakdown in communication between CDA and its tenants.
Habib said they acquired a 40-acre lease because the safari was earmarked to be done in two phases.
The businessman said the objective was to open the first phase to generate revenue which they would have used to start the second stage.
Habib said they also wanted to give the animals sufficient land space in a natural environment.
Questioned about his rental fees, Habib said: “The rent is phased. The maximum rent is about $106,000, plus Value Added Tax. But that is once we are opened and operational.
“If we were given the green light today the first phase will be opened in three months. We would hire 50 people in the morning if they tell us go ahead. Legally I believe we are sound. We have not done anything bad.”
Admitting that he has since sought legal advice on the matter, Habib said he was advised by his attorney that their lease was legitimate.
“We have told them (CDA) that our lease is legal. We think it is a great project for the country... for children... for education and schools. If we can go ahead peacefully that will be the best route. If they fight, we will fight but we don’t want to.”
Habib said it was upsetting that environmentalists and citizens have begun to criticise the safari before seeing it.
Among the 80 animals they purchased from foreign zoos are kangaroos, llamas, the double and single hump camels and mountain lions.
They are expecting a shipment of zebras soon.
Habib pointed out that many projects which have been in existence in Chaguaramas for several years did not conform to CDA’s plans.
“If they are going to say that we are not part of the plan then so is half of Chaguaramas,” he added.
Habib is optimistic that things will work out.
“The Government just got in and I know there is a lot of confusion. They will sort it out,” he added.
Calls to Robinson-Regis’ cellphone went unanswered and she did not respond to a text message seeking comment.