Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie yesterday said foreigners were included in the list of investors who have expressed interest in the development of Chaguaramas.
He was speaking on yesterday’s CNC3’s Morning Brew with host Hema Ramkissoon.
Referring to the business people who have already received leases, Tewarie assured that they already had given their clear commitment to invest significant sums of their own money in their respective projects.
He said the investors were made aware of the Chaguaramas development opportunities, via advertising from local media, the British newspaper and American magazines highlighting institutional investments.
“These advertisements were out since one year ago. It is not easy to get investment,” Tewarie said.
According to the Project Phasing of the Master Plan, Phase 3 “Future Development” 2030 and beyond, it was identified that 30.5 hectares of land with leases expiring after 2030.
The plan also stated that the Chaguaramas Development Authority must derive market rates on all its properties and that assets were not undervalued.
One means of achieving this would be to let leases through a competitive and open tendering process that is re-negotiated in short-term periods.
This will help to ensure that optimum values are achieved. Partnering with developers in joint ventures may also be an option so that the CDA can retain some of the rental and sales income that is generated.
The food and beverage (F&B) sector might be particularly attractive for this sort of activity, according to the master plan.
On Saturday Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley called on contractors who were given leases to give it back.
He said returning the leases would allow the incoming government to be advised properly so that any development in Chaguaramas would be done to the acceptance of the people of T&T. He added that if they got the lands through transparent means, then it would be acceptable.
Rowley made this call at the end of a two-hour march from West Mall to the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) office.
However, in response to Rowley’s call, Tewarie said Rowley was on nonsense and playing politics.
He added he did not have any time to waste on further commenting on Rowley’s statement.
The minister, however, reiterated that there was no land grabbing going on in the 15,000-acre peninsula. He added that nine per cent was either under lease and occupation and a two per cent was being developed.
Chaguaramas Master Plan
Sustainable design and development principles have been embedded into the Chaguaramas Master Plan process to reflect a plan that promotes efficient land use and an urban design concept that supports low-emissions and healthy lifestyles.
According to the 216-page document, international best practices as well as standards, such as the US Green Building Council’s LEED rating systems, have informed policy development, management plan outlines and urban design.
The plan will promote the area as a catalyst for positive change in the way development is carried out. It promotes the enhancement of the natural environment, economic growth and diversification of the economy and the promotion of green technologies and sustainable modes of transport.
It is also designed to realise the full recreational and tourism potential of the natural and cultural environment and, in doing so, contribute towards its conservation.
The concept seeks to ensure that Chaguaramas achieves critical mass by having the number, quality and type of attractions and resources to generate the number of visitors and amount of spending required for economic viability and year-round employment.
Protected areas
Based on the ecological systems approach and evaluation of historical legislation, studies and development patterns, the statutory plan outlines purposes that the entire area of Chaguaramas and offshore islands be designated as the Chaguaramas National Park.
This designation is consistent with the historical and political significance of Chaguaramas as a symbol of independence and the expectations of the population about common use and ownership of the area.
The park does not prohibit development within the area.
A boundary to develop clusters and buffer zones has been defined to designate protected areas.
The land within the clusters provides sufficient area to meet development goals while limiting unwanted or unnecessary environment impacts to the high value forest lands, cultural and historical sites and recreational assets within the protected areas and buffer areas.
The protected areas are non-developable or prohibited lands, specifically dedicated to the protection and maintenance of the biological diversity and natural and cultural resources of the area.
This is the majority of land cover on the peninsula and comprises areas of primary or original forest cover. These forest areas are known habitat for a variety of wildlife.
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According to a source at the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) Insite Developers was granted a 30-year lease commencing on November 5, 2014.
Also receiving leases are Caribbean Chemicals and Agencies Ltd; Chaguaramas Farms Ltd for a mega farm; to the RC Archbishop to construct and operate facilities for use by the Boy Scout Movement; to RBC; EOG Resources Trinidad Ltd for a shore-based facility to support offshore and gas development; a 99-year lease to the University of TT for a marine campus, maritime training institute and ancillary university facilities; Water and Amusement Park for 30 years for a world class water and amusement theme park; eight leases of .02 acres each for three years to various companies (Seaside Grillers, Mayaro Ice Cream, Thickies Soup Shop, D Irie Shack, Southern Horizon General Services, Italian Hut, Blue Pepper and Cappuccinos); to Starburst Parks for 30 years for a mini golf adventure park; Bheecham RC Rentals for remote control car racing; Paddy’s Aquatic Centre for pedal boating; Caribbean Boarders and Safety Technologies; Bowen Marine and Dragon Boat for 30 years; Ionteck Environment Co Ltd for 30 years and La Soufriere Maritime Ltd for 30 years.