On Wednesday, this week, the Government of Anguilla signed a licence for the operation of the Dolphin Discovery project for the second time on the island. The enterprise is returning after some four years of absence at its new location: Blowing Point, with some sections of its operations to be located both in the sea and on land. A structure and other related facilities are already in place and further work is expected in due course to complete the soon-opening project.
There is both support for, and opposition to, the project by members of the public inAnguillaand outside the island. The project, is argued against by environmentalists and animal lovers who denounce what they refer to as the captivity and use of dolphins for tourist attractions and money-making. However, it is a marine tourism project seen in various other parts of the world and contributing much to the travel industry.
Such a facility is indeed a delight to many visitors as was the case when it was first operated atMeadsBay, for some years, before its forced removal to accommodate the present tourism development there. The project did not function to any extent when an attempt was made to set it up atRoadBay, Sandy Ground. And when construction started at the current location at Blowing Point, not only did it run into opposition from residents there, but eventually became an issue in the High Court.
The Government, the developers, and other persons, among the citizenry, view it as a useful development inAnguillaand a component of the island’s tourism industry. It will obviously be an attraction particularly for day trippers from the neighbouring French and Dutch islands who arrive there on cruise ships, as well as visitors from other places far and near.
Although a number of Anguillians will find jobs at the project, it is not regarded as a major contributor to mass employment on the island. Notwithstanding that, however, any form or level of job creation for our people in these difficult economic times would not only be most welcome, but a Godsend.
One pictures in the mind the large buses which transported visitors between the Blowing Point Passenger Terminal andMeadsBayduring the days of the operations of the Dolphin Discovery Pool and other facilities at the latter and original location. There was a considerable travelling distance then to the project, much to the benefit of the income fortunes of the bus and taxi drivers. This does not, however, appear to be the case now the Dolphinariumis located just a stone’s throw from the Port of Entry and Passenger Terminal.
In the earlier days of discussions about the return of the project, it was touted about that bus and taxi operators would be paid the same fare to take visitors to the new and closer location as they originally earned for trips toMeadsBay. If that arrangement is still promised, it would indeed be a very generous offer by the developers, but certainly one that should be clearly articulated to avoid complications later on. The question is, just how enforceable this would be in cases where visitors might wish to avoid paying transportation fees when they could leisurely stroll to the dolphin facility by way of the beach or the adjoining Cul de Sac road?
The dolphin project is among many projects for which the Government has already entered into Memorandums of Understanding with potential developers. The majority, which have not yet gotten off the ground, were partially the subject of a recent press statement by the Chief Minister. They were also commented on this week by the Minister of Home Affairs at the signing of the Dolphin project licence. The Anguillian public, not to mention the island’s contractors, and general labour force, are anxiously awaiting the start of some of these projects. The Government itself must also be feverishly looking forward to fetching urgently-needed revenue for the Treasury.
True, the global state of the economy is such that it can hardly be expected for any investor to have the monetary power to engage in project investment or development however much they, or the country of their choice, need it.Life is not easy in a small island like Anguilla, feeling a greater economic squeeze than larger countries, to have to wait, as it were forever, before some meaningful project with substantial funding and job opportunities is started.
The Government of Anguilla must do all in its power to encourage potential investors, with signed MOUs, to step up to the plate rather than appear to be speculators. It is only when projects are put into motion that our people can find jobs and earn incomes at home.
