Smugglers Cove saga for public discussion
On April 3, 2012, vendors were instructed to cease operation on the beach until they had obtained their requisite licenses to operate a business. The clamp down came following altercations on the beach among vendors due to disputes regarding vending spots where one situation had resulted in injuries sustained and charges laid by the Police.
In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online, First District Representative Hon. Andrew Fahie, in whose district Smugglers Cove is located, disclosed that he requested for the meeting, which was granted and it will be held in the near future.
“I requested from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour to have a public meeting in the district so that my people of the First District and the Territory can be given the opportunity to give their input on the future plans for the Smugglers Cove area. This request was met with favourable response and I advise that we all listen to the radio, monitor the online media for the date, time and place for the meeting. Rest assure that this meeting will be in the very near future,” Hon. Fahie told this news agency.
The district representative views the move as “significant progress” being made to finding a solution to the overall Smugglers Cove issue and commended Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Kedrick Pickering for extending professional courtesies thus far to him as the first district representative, “thereby allowing us to have a united front thus far in the addressing of this issue in the best interest of the people of the first district and the entire territory.”
He further stated that there are ongoing meetings with the relevant government agencies, and through that course of action, a comprehensive plan for the area has been developed as was the case in the Carrot Bay Development project.
Meanwhile, on NDP radio programme on June 18, 2012, Hon. Pickering disclosed that Government was waiting on the designs and plans to build “concession stands” which will not be on the beach but at the entrance to the beach.
He had also announced that vendors will return to continue their business there, but this time it will be done under strict rules and regulations.
"… it is a situation that we need to get right and that is what we are working on and we hope to have it in place for the next tourist season…The plan is almost completed and as soon as we have those in hand we will start the work. We are working diligently in conjunction with the Member for the First District to ensure this project is done in a way that is pleasing to everybody."
It was on April 3, 2012 that the vendors were given their letters to cease operation on the beach, in the presence of Police officers and officials from the Health Department who also clamped down on those selling food.
Virgin Islands News Online was the first to bring to light the long standing issue among vendors on Smugglers Cove Beach regarding vending spots and who was entitled to operate at which location. The situation had escalated on February 4, 2012 when an argument between two vendors on the matter turned into an altercation and resulted in both vendors being charged.
And more recently, this news site had also brought to light, following disclosure in the Standing Finance Committee, that the 8 to 10 vendors operating on the beach were doing so illegally – a disclosure that was made by the then Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Ronald Berkley.
The PS had stated that, “about eight to ten vendors operate at the beach illegally”.
Mr. Smith-Berkeley had told the SFC that since he took up office he had met with them at least three times regarding their operations and all the issues on the beach and the way they behaved and hustled the tourists, but nothing had changed.
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