Caribbean Style

The National Democratic Party (NDP) administration is hard at work making attempts to bring in investors for the Beef Island 5-star hotel and golf course development.

Premier Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith during a recent press conference said the project is still on the table and it was promoted at a recent investment conference in Europe.

"As far as the Beef Island project is concerned, that again was promoted as one of our investment opportunities. We also identified, mentioned or spoke about Prospect Reef...and any other investment opportunity...We have had several people who particularly at our session…expressed interest," he told reporters.

Last year, Premier Smith reminded persons that the project started in 2004 and would have allowed for the hotel and gulf course along with other types of housing; however, the development was opposed for environmental reasons.

The Beef Island project was embroiled in a court battle, which ended when the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling, paving the way for the developers to proceed to build a luxury resort, golf course and marina on approximately 659 acres at Beef Island.

Virgin Islands Environmental Council (VIEC) contended that parts of the project, especially the golf course plan, would disrupt the eco system of Hans Creek, which they contended is a protected area under the laws of the Virgin Islands.

VIEC proceeded to sue the developer, Quorum and the BVI Government.

The Court of Appeal found that Hans Creek was not validly declared to be a protected area and by extension, the decision of the Minister to approve the group´s proposed development of the BVI project granted to Quorum in January 2007, was not illegal.

Prior to taking office, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering stated that the tourism industry of the BVI will not move forward if the proposed project is not implemented.

"I know I will receive a lot of flak for this, but we the BVI, our tourism industry, the future of our tourism, cannot go ahead without the Beef Island development. I will take my licks, even if it costs me an election, but we cannot move forward with our tourism product without development in Beef Island. The BVI needs a five star hotel, we need mega yacht facilities, we need a golf course," Dr. Pickering strongly expressed.